As part of the 2026 democracy day celebration, president Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours on 50 Nigerians who were key figures in the pro-democracy struggle.
The 2026 Democracy Day national honours list includes several journalists, civil rights leaders and senior military officers involved in the fight against military dictatorship.
Meanwhile, the announcement formed part of the President’s Democracy Day address marking 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule in Nigeria.
Furthermore, the President paid tribute to the heroes of the June 12 struggle, including M.K.O. Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Gani Fawehinmi, Bola Ige, Alfred Rewane, Abraham Adesanya, Beko Ransome-Kuti, and Frank Kokori, among other pro-democracy campaigners.
The President also honoured several deceased democracy fighters, including Dr Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi, both of whom received recognition.
In addition, Mr President announced recognition for a group of military officers he described as “soldier-democrats” who supported the June 12 struggle.
“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.
The president further added that the 2026 awardees “suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today”.
SEE THE FULL LIST
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 ALSO INCLUDE;
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, who is already the holder of the CFR title.
The president said the full honours list will be released subsequently in the “next few days”.
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