President Bola Tinubu has awarded national honours to 50 prominent Nigerians for their pivotal roles in the pro-democracy struggle against military rule.
The honours, announced as part of the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations on June 12, recognise journalists, civil rights activists, and retired military officers who risked their lives in the fight for democracy.
Speaking during the occasion, President Tinubu described June 12, 1993, as a sacred date in Nigeria’s history.
“June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story,” he said.
“As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable.”
Tinubu emphasised the need to move beyond political freedom to economic freedom. “June 12, 1993, revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation.
The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom,” he added.
He noted that the awardees “suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today.”
Full List of Honorees
Civilian honorees include:
Barrister Ayoka Lawani
Tunde Fagbenle
Oladele Alake (Dele 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
Soldier-Democrats (Retired Military Officers):
Major General MA Garba
Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa
Col Umar Farouk Ahmed
Col Sambo Dasuki
Col Lawan Gwadabe
Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong
Col Musa Shehu
Major General Chris Eze
Major General Harris Dzarma
Col Isa Jibrin
Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin
Col Olusegun Oloruntoba (Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom)
Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus
Col J Okai
Col Emmanuel Ndubueze
Lt Col Yakubu Muazu
Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar (Current Etsu Nupe)
The President said the complete official honours list with specific categories and ranks of awards will be released in the coming days.
The recognition comes on the anniversary of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s most credible election before the return to civilian rule in 1999.
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