President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours on 51 eminent Nigerians, including media icons, pro-democracy activists and retired military officers, in commemoration of the 2026 Democracy Day.
This online medium reports that the President announced the awards in a nationwide broadcast marking 27 years of unbroken civilian rule in Nigeria.
Tinubu paid tribute to the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, and other icons of the pro-democracy struggle.
He said although Nigeria’s democracy was not perfect, it remained the ultimate vehicle for national development.
Prominent among those listed for national honours were National Democratic Coalition chieftains, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obioha and the late Dr Arthur Nwankwo.
Media veterans on the list include Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Sir Ademola Osinubi and Dele Alake.
Activists honoured include Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Richard Akinnola and Prof Sylvester Odion-Akhaine.
The President also recognised what he described as “soldier-democrats” who opposed military rule.
They include Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), Col. Lawan Gwadabe (retd.), Maj.-Gen. Ishola Williams (retd.) and the Etsu Nupe, Brig.-Gen. Yahaya Abubakar (retd.).
Institute Renamed After Yar’Adua
In a major institutional honour, Tinubu approved the renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
The gesture formed part of the administration’s recognition of figures who played roles in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Addressing the country’s security challenges, especially recent student abductions in Oyo and Borno states, Tinubu said security remained central to democratic governance.
“Democracy without security is a mirage,” he said.
The President disclosed that the 2026 budget allocated a record ₦5.41 trillion to defence.
He also said the government was recruiting over 50,000 police officers to strengthen internal security.
“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever,” Tinubu warned.
He added that terror-related deaths had dropped by 81 per cent since 2015, while over 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the past year.
Tinubu Defends Economic Reforms
On the economy, Tinubu defended his administration’s reforms, saying they were necessary to rescue public finances.
He said the next phase of his government would focus on ensuring that “democracy is felt in the pocket” of ordinary citizens.
According to him, the administration will prioritise efforts to tackle inflation, boost local production and improve living conditions.
To address Nigeria’s electricity crisis, Tinubu announced that the Presidential Power Sector Task Force had been authorised to raise a ₦4tn bond to clear legacy debts in the power value chain.
He said the Electricity Act, which decentralises power generation to states, was already producing results.
The President also reaffirmed his commitment to full financial autonomy for the 774 local government areas.
He linked the rise in rural insecurity to the collapse of local governance, saying stronger local institutions were necessary for development and security.
Tinubu urged political actors and institutions to protect democratic principles ahead of the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.
“The generation of our founding fathers secured independence—the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” he said.
Read the full text of the address below:
“Today, we celebrate not only democracy but also the enduring Nigerian spirit. For 27 unbroken years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers, not through violence. We have experienced the longest stretch of civilian rule in our history. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it
“In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process. To our National Assembly, Judiciary, the Press, and Civil Society: you are the guardrails of our republic. Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria.
“To our young people: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.
“To our armed forces, police, and intelligence services: Nigeria salutes your sacrifice. To our traditional rulers, faith leaders, and community heads: thank you for your support of peace and reconciliation. The government cannot do it alone.
“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. We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy. 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.
“Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return. Democracy without security is a mirage. That is why this administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits. Our 2026 budget commits ₦5.41 trillion, our largest ever, to defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people.
“We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting. In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre. Terror-related deaths are down by 81% since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year. But we also keep the door of surrender open. Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.
“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.
“At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.
“June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story. We remember Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate transcending ethnicity and religion. We remember Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
“We also remember Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and the many other heroes and heroines of democracy whose sacrifices helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today.
“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.
“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 reforms we are undertaking were not chosen for ease, but for necessity. Three years ago, our public finances were under severe strain, investment was discouraged, and economic uncertainty threatened our future. We chose to act, embracing reforms to advance Nigeria’s economic freedom.
“Since 2023, our reforms have restored stability and credibility to economic management. Federation revenues have risen, providing states and local governments with more resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security. Fiscal transparency has improved, leakage has been reduced, and public funds are better directed to national priorities. Investor confidence has returned, with investments in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation, and the creative industries growing.
“Domestic refining capacity has increased, strengthening energy security and reducing our reliance on imported petroleum products.
“By 2023, when we came on board, the electricity sector was characterised by chronic generation shortfalls, an unreliable gas supply, and transmission infrastructure so fragile that it could not evacuate available power. Distribution companies were burdened by massive losses and a metering deficit of over four million. Worst of all, the value chain was drowning in legacy debt. The result was a sector that generated less than the 13,500 Megawatts installed capacity, a sector that transmitted less than it generated, distributed less than it transmitted and collected revenue far below what it needed to sustain itself.
“To address the problems besetting the sector, I signed the Electricity Act, which grants states authority to generate, transmit, and distribute power. The Presidential Power Sector Task Force is working hard to reduce the metering deficit. It has also been authorised to raise ₦4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts. The Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has deployed off-grid and mini-grid power to underserved communities, universities, markets, and hospitals. Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it.
“Across the country, infrastructure projects are connecting producers to markets and creating opportunities for enterprise and employment. The National Agricultural Development Fund is deploying 10,000 tractors over five years. Over 1,000 SMEs have been certified for export. Non-oil exports grew by 21% last year.
“Yet, many Nigerians still face economic hardship. We remain focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards, rebuilding confidence in our economy, and creating conditions for sustainable prosperity.
“We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is about accelerating growth and ensuring the benefits are felt in every home, every community, and every region. We believe that Democracy must be felt in the pocket.
“Recognising that democracy is undermined when people do not feel its impact, my administration has sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils. A fundamental challenge to our nation’s advancement has been ineffective local government administration. The insecurity we are addressing is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance. The Renewed Hope Agenda is about ensuring that all Nigerians benefit from governance.
“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.
“Let us move forward together, rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and confidence. Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant.
“Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership. In recognition of his contributions, the Federal Government has approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
“I am also pleased to announce national awards to the following Nigerians, who suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today.
•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 Obioha
•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
We also recognise the soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle:
•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 honours list will be released in the next few days.
“Fellow Nigerians, 27 years ago, many doubted democracy would survive here because of our diversity. Today, our diversity sustains our democracy. The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break.
“Let us renew our covenant: That the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land.
“May God bless the heroes of our democracy. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to bless us all.”
