President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced plans to confer national honours on 50 distinguished Nigerians in recognition of their contributions to the June 12 pro-democracy struggle and the fight against military rule.
The honours, unveiled during the 2026 Democracy Day commemoration, will be bestowed on journalists, activists, lawyers, academics, public figures, and military officers who played significant roles in Nigeria’s journey back to democratic governance.
According to the President, the recipients endured detention, harassment, persecution, exile, and other forms of repression during the struggle to restore democracy following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Tinubu said their sacrifices were instrumental in securing the democratic freedoms Nigerians enjoy today.
The Presidency stated that the official honours list and award categories will be released in the coming days.
Among those nominated for national honours are:
- Barrister Ayoka Lawani
- Tunde Fagbenle
- Oladele Alake
- Olatunji Bello
- Louis Odion
- Segun Babatope
- Sam Omatseye
- Sir Ademola Osinubi
- Bola Bolawole
- Lade Bonuola
- Femi Kusa
- Debo Adeniran
- Chief Ayo Opadokun
- Chief Ralph Obiora
- Ose Osayande
- Barrister Osa Director
- Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine
- Dr. Arthur Nwankwo (Posthumous)
- Dr. Osagie Obayuwana
- Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin
- Barrister Titus Mann
- Joe Igbokwe
- Richard Akinnola
- Ben Charles-Obi (Posthumous)
- George Mbah
- Dr. Niran Malaolu
- Major General Ishola Williams (Rtd)
- Femi Aborisade
- Jenkins Alumona
- Gbemiga Ogunleye
- Muyiwa Adekeye
- Babajide Kolade-Otitoju
- Ike Okonta
Tinubu also honoured military officers who opposed authoritarian rule and supported democratic governance. They include:
- Major General M.A. Garba
- Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa
- Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed
- Colonel Sambo Dasuki
- Colonel Lawan Gwadabe
- Brigadier General Jonathan Ndam Temlong
- Colonel Musa Shehu
- Major General Chris Eze
- Major General Harris Dzarma
- Colonel Isa Jibrin
- Major General Joseph Oshanupin
- Colonel Olusegun Oloruntoba (Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom)
- Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus
- Colonel J. Okai
- Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze
- Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Muazu
- Brigadier General Yahaya Abubakar (Etsu Nupe, CFR)
The honours are part of efforts to acknowledge individuals who stood against military dictatorship and helped sustain the campaign for democratic rule during one of Nigeria’s most turbulent political periods.
The June 12 struggle remains a defining chapter in Nigeria’s democratic history, symbolising resistance against oppression and the people’s determination to reclaim their electoral mandate and democratic rights.
