President Bola Tinubu on Thursday honoured over 70 Nigerians, both living and deceased, for their roles in Nigeria’s fight for democracy.
The awards were given during the 2025 Democracy Day ceremony held in Abuja.
During the event, President Tinubu said it was important to recognise those who fought hard for Nigeria to become a democratic nation.
“As we mark a twenty-sixth year of unbroken democracy, it is right to honour those who have made sacrifices in the past, braving all the odds and the guns to ensure we have a regime of democracy in our country,” Tinubu said.
The national honours included high-ranking awards such as GCFR, GCON, CFR, CON, and OON.
However, the ceremony was not without an error. The names of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, a leader of Afenifere, and Dr. Edwin Madunagu, a well-known scholar and activist, were wrongly listed as part of the posthumous awardees.
This mistake quickly drew attention, as both men are alive.
In a statement released later, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, apologised on behalf of the government.
“Under the Posthumous Award category, the names of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the Afenifere leader, and Dr. Edwin Madunagu were incorrectly included. Both distinguished individuals are very much alive and, therefore, should not have appeared in the posthumous category,” he said.
He described the incident as “an oversight” and promised that all digital platforms managed by the State House would be updated to reflect the correction.
“We sincerely regret this oversight. We shall make the necessary corrections across all State House digital platforms,” the statement added.
Several Nigerians who died while fighting for democracy were honoured:
Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, who was killed in 1996 for speaking out against military rule, was given the CFR honour. Her bravery and activism were recognised as part of the country’s history of democratic struggle.
General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, who died in prison in 1997 for opposing military rule, was awarded the GCFR, Nigeria’s highest national honour.
Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who organised the famous June 12, 1993 election, received the CON honour.
Also honoured posthumously were environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and other members of the Ogoni Nine. They were given national awards and full pardons by the president.
Others honoured posthumously include Gani Fawehinmi, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chima Ubani, Alfred Rewane, Chief Bola Ige, and Balarabe Musa, among many others.
Among those still alive, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka received the GCON for his continued fight for justice and truth.
Veteran journalist Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu, who turns 90 this week, was praised for his commitment to the media and received the CON.
To show unity between the presidency and the lawmakers, President Tinubu officially decorated Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and their deputies with their previously awarded honours.
Akpabio and Abbas received the GCON, while Senator Jibrin Barau and Hon. Benjamin Kalu got the CFR.
President Tinubu said these awards are not just titles but reminders of the sacrifices made to keep Nigeria a democratic country.
The Democracy Day event honours the memory of June 12, 1993, a day when Nigerians voted in what many still see as the fairest election in the country’s history.
SEE THE FULL LIST OF NATIONAL HONOURS CONFERRED BY PRESIDENT TINUBU ON DEMOCRACY DAY 2025
1. Posthumous National Honors
1.1 CFR
1. Kudirat Abiola
2. Alhaji Balarabe Musa
3. Pa. Alfred Rewane
4. Chief Bola Ige
5. Sen. Abu Ibrahim
6. Sen. Ame Ebute
1.2 GCFR
7. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua
1.3 CON
8. Prof. Humphrey Nwosu
9. Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu
10. Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti
11. Alao Aka Bashorun
12. Chief Frank Kokori
14. Fredrick Fasehun
15. Professor Festus Iyayi
16. Alhaja Sawaba Gambo
17. Dr. Alex Ibru
18. Sen. Ayo Fasanmi
19. Sen. Polycarp Nwite
20. Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo
21. Ken Saro Wiwa
22. Barinem Kiobel
23. Emma Ezeazu
24. Bamidele Aturu
25. Dr. John Yima Sen
26. Mobolaji Akinyemi
1.4 OON
27. Bagauda Kaltho
28. Chima Ubani
29. Emma Ezeazu
30. Bamidele Aturu
31. Dr. John Yima Sen
32. Saturday Dobee
33. Nordu Eawo
34. Daniel Gbooko
35. Paul Levera
36. Felix Nuate
37. Baribor Bera
38. John Kpuine
2. National Honours for Living Individuals
2.1 GCON
1. Prof. Wole Soyinka
2.2 CFR
2. Mobolaji Akinyemi
2.3 CON
3. Prof. Olatunji Dare
4. Bayo Onanuga
5. Dare Babarinsa
6. Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah
7. Senator Shehu Sani
8. Governor Uba Sani
9. Barrister Femi Falana, SAN
10. Prof. Shafideen Amuwo
11 . Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi
12 . Dr. Tunji Alausa
13 . Odia Ofeimun
14 . Barrister Felix Morka
15 . Barrister Ledum Mitee
16 . Hon. Olawale Osun
17 . Dr. Amos Akingba
18 . Prof. Segun Gbadegesin
19 . Dr. Kayode Shonoiki
20 . Prof. Julius Ihonvbere
21 . Prof. Bayo Williams
22 . Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu
23. Dr. Edwin Madunagu
2.4 OON
23 . Kunle Ajibade
24 . Nosa Igiebor
25. Dapo Olorunyomi
26. Ayo Obe
27. Barrister Luke Aghanenu
28. Hon. Labaran Maku
29. Mr. Nick Dazang
30. Hon. Abdul Oroh
31. Seye Kehinde
3. Decorated Presiding National Assembly Officers (previously conferred)
3.1 GCON
1. Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio (Senate President)
2. Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD (Speaker)
3.2 CFR
3. Senator Jibrin Ibrahim Barau (Deputy Senate President)
4. Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu (Deputy Speaker)
5. Pa. Reuben Fasoranti
