Democracy Day: Tinubu Confers National Honours On Dasuki, Dele Alake, Joe Igbokwe, 47 Others

President Bola Tinubu on Friday conferred national honours on 50 Nigerians in recognition of their roles in the struggle for democracy and resistance against military rule.

Announcing this in his Democracy Day address to Nigerians, the president paid tribute to journalists, civil rights activists, political leaders and military officers who played significant roles in the campaign for the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria.

Tinubu described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s history and praised those who made sacrifices to defend democratic ideals during periods of military dictatorship.

According to him, June 12 represents far more than an election, noting that it remains a pivotal chapter in the nation’s democratic journey.

“June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story,” the president said.

He stated that Nigerians who currently enjoy the benefits of democracy have a responsibility to strengthen the institutions established through the sacrifices of pro-democracy campaigners.

“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,” he said.

The president further noted that the June 12, 1993 presidential election demonstrated the possibility of national unity and a truly inclusive Nigerian nation.

“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.

“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,” he added.

Tinubu said the recipients of the 2026 Democracy Day national honours endured persecution, imprisonment, exile and other forms of hardship in the course of the struggle for democratic governance.

According to him, many of the awardees paid heavy personal prices to ensure that democracy survived in the country.

The president said: “They suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today.”

He added that a comprehensive breakdown of the national honours and their respective categories would be released in the coming days.

Full List of Honourees

Pro-Democracy Activists, Journalists and Civil Society Leaders

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 M.A. Garba

Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa

Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed

Colonel Sambo Dasuki

Colonel Lawan Gwadabe

Brigadier 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 Yahaya Abubakar, the current Etsu Nupe and holder of the CFR title.

The president noted that the complete honours list, including the categories of awards conferred on each recipient, would be made public in the coming days.