President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced national honours for dozens of pro-democracy activists, journalists, lawyers, civil society leaders and military officers who played key roles in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy, saying their sacrifices helped secure the freedoms enjoyed by Nigerians today.
Speaking during his Democracy Day address on Friday, the President paid tribute to individuals who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, harassment and, in some cases, death during the struggle to restore democratic governance following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
“Today, we honour the resilience of Nigerians who refused to surrender their faith in freedom, and the courage of those who stood firm against intimidation,” Tinubu said.
The President said the honourees represented various sectors of society, including labour leaders, journalists, activists, students, women, professionals, political leaders and members of the armed forces who stood on the side of democracy during one of Nigeria’s most turbulent political eras.
“We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy,” he stated. “I salute labour leaders, journalists, activists, students, women, professionals, political leaders, and soldiers—both those who have passed and those still with us—for their patriotic contributions.”
Among those named for national recognition are veteran journalists and democracy advocates Tunde Fagbenle, Bola Bolawole, Sam Omatseye, Louis Odion, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Muyiwa Adekeye. Others include pro-democracy campaigners Debo Adeniran, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Joe Okei-Odumakin, Richard Akinnola, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine and Dr. Osagie Obayuwana.
The President also honoured several individuals posthumously, including Dr. Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi, for their contributions to the democratic struggle.
In a significant recognition of the military officers who opposed military authoritarianism and supported democratic restoration, Tinubu announced honours for several soldier-democrats, including Major General M.A. Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma, Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong and others.
The President noted that their actions helped sustain the pro-democracy movement during a difficult chapter in Nigeria’s history.
“We also recognise the soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle,” Tinubu said while unveiling the list of military honourees.
Tinubu further announced a major institutional recognition for the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, describing him as one of the architects of modern democratic Nigeria.
“Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership,” the President said.
As part of that recognition, Tinubu revealed that the Federal Government had approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
The President said the awards were intended not only to recognise individual sacrifices but also to remind younger generations of the struggles that made Nigeria’s democratic journey possible.
“June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory,” he said. “It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story.”
Tinubu stressed that the greatest tribute to the heroes of June 12 would be to strengthen democratic institutions, uphold justice, expand opportunities and ensure government accountability.
“As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought,” he said. “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.”
The President disclosed that the full honours list and award categories would be officially released in the coming days.
