President Bola Tinubu on Thursday conferred national honours on a wide array of prominent Nigerians—both living and deceased—in a historic ceremony commemorating June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day. The event, held during his address to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja, aimed to recognize individuals who made significant sacrifices for the nation’s democratic journey.

Among the honourees were Kudirat Abiola, wife of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola—winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election—and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, the late former Vice President. President Tinubu posthumously awarded Kudirat the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) and conferred the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on Yar’Adua.

“As we mark the 26th year of unbroken democracy, it is right to honour those who made sacrifices, braving all odds to ensure we have a regime of democracy in our country,” Tinubu stated.

Also honoured was Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), who supervised the 1993 elections. He was conferred with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

A Long List of Honours

President Tinubu recognized a total of 21 individuals posthumously for their contributions to Nigeria’s democratic evolution. Notable names include:

  • Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON)
  • Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR)
  • Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON)
  • Chief Bola Ige (CFR)
  • Prof. Festus Iyayi (CON)
  • Fredrick Fasehun (CON)
  • Chima Ubani (OON)
  • Bagauda Kaltho (OON)
  • Emma Ezeazu, Bamidele Aturu, Pa. Alfred Rewani, and others

Living Honourees

Among those honoured for their continued service to Nigeria were:

  • Prof. Wole Soyinka – Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON)
  • Femi Falana, SAN, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, and Bayo Onanuga – CON
  • Sen. Shehu Sani, Prof. Olatunji Dare, Kunle Ajibade, Dapo Olorunyomi, and several others in media, law, activism, and public service received various national honours including CON and OON

President Tinubu also honoured Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu, renowned journalist and publisher, with the CON award ahead of his 90th birthday on June 13.

Pardon and Recognition for the Ogoni Nine

In a landmark moment, Tinubu posthumously awarded national honours to Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine, the environmental activists executed in 1995 under the Sani Abacha regime. Saro-Wiwa received the CON, while his compatriots—including Barinem Kiobel, John Kpuine, and Saturday Dobee—received the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

“I shall be exercising my powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon,” Tinubu announced, adding that more names would be disclosed in conjunction with the National Council of State.

A National Reconciliation Gesture

Thursday’s honours were seen as a powerful gesture of national reconciliation and recognition of Nigeria’s democratic journey, coming on the heels of decades-long demands to honour pro-democracy activists, journalists, and politicians who suffered or died during military rule.