President Bola Tinubu has announced national honours for scores of pro-democracy activists, journalists, lawyers and military officers who played significant roles in Nigeria’s struggle for the restoration of democratic rule.
The President made the announcement on Thursday during his 2026 Democracy Day address to the nation.
Tinubu paid tribute to the heroes of the June 12 movement, describing them as patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile and even death in defence of democracy.
He recalled the sacrifices of the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, his wife, Kudirat Abiola, as well as other prominent figures who fought for the return of democratic governance.
Among those honoured by the President were Gani Fawehinmi, Bola Ige, Alfred Rewane, Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori and Chima Ubani.
According to Tinubu, the Federal Government has approved national honours for several individuals who actively participated in the pro-democracy struggle.
The beneficiaries include Debo Adeniran, Joe Okei-Odumakin, Femi Aborisade, Richard Akinnola, Major-General Ishola Williams (retd), Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Ike Okonta, among others.
The President also recognised a group of military officers he described as “soldier-democrats” for their contributions during the June 12 struggle. They include Major General M.A. Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Colonel Sambo Dasuki and Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong.
Tinubu disclosed that the full list of award recipients would be released in the coming days.
In a related development, the President announced the renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna after the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.
He said the institution will now be known as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology in recognition of the late statesman’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to safeguard the gains of democracy and work together towards achieving economic prosperity.
“Our generation must secure prosperity. The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom,” he said.
