President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours on 50 Nigerians recognised as key figures in the country’s pro-democracy struggle.
The 2026 Democracy Day honours list features prominent journalists, civil rights activists, and senior military officers who played critical roles in resisting military dictatorship and advancing democratic governance in Nigeria.
In his Democracy Day address on Friday, the president underscored the historical and symbolic importance of June 12.
“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.”
Reflecting on the legacy of the June 12, 1993 election, Tinubu added: “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. Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives—in opportunities for youth, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers.”
He further emphasised the responsibility of the present generation:
“Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence—the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity.”
The president noted that many of the awardees paid a steep price in the struggle for democracy.
“They suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today,” he said.
He added that the complete honours list would be released in the coming days.
FULL LIST OF HONOUREES
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
SOLDIER-DEMOCRATS
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, the current Etsu Nupe and a holder of the CFR title.
