•Ayo Obe, Osinubi, Bonuola, Akinnola, Jenkins, Others on List
The Federal Government has announced a new set of national honours for Nigerians who played key roles in the country’s pro-democracy struggle.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made the announcement during his 2026 Democracy Day address, acknowldeging that the recipients suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement to secure Nigeria’s democratic freedoms.
The list cuts across journalists, civil rights activists, lawyers, academics, and political figures who were at the forefront of resistance during military rule and the struggle for the restoration of democratic governance.
Among those honoured are 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, and Ike Okonta.
Tinubu said the honours are intended to formally recognise those who stood firm during Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle, adding that their sacrifices helped secure the freedoms enjoyed under the current democratic order.
In addition, the government also recognised a group described as soldier-democrats who played roles in the June 12 struggle while serving in the military.
They include 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, Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus, Colonel J. Okai, Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze, Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Muazu, and Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the current Etsu Nupe.