President Bola Tinubu has announced national honours for dozens of pro-democracy activists, journalists, politicians and former military officers, who played significant roles in the struggle for actualisation of June 12, 1993 presidential result, saying their sacrifices helped secure Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking during his Democracy Day broadcast to the nation on Friday, June 12, 2026, Tinubu paid tribute to individuals who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile and other hardships in the fight to restore democratic governance after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
The president described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s history and urged Nigerians to preserve and strengthen democratic institutions.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu announced that the Federal Government would confer national honours on several pro-democracy activists, journalists and political figures, including Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Debo Adeniran, Ayo Opadokun, Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Osa Director, Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Arthur Nwankwo (posthumous), Osagie Obayuwana, Joe Okei-Odumakin, Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Richard Akinnola, Ben Charles-Obi (posthumous), George Mbah, Niran Malaolu, Ishola Williams (rtd), Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Ike Okonta.
The president also recognised ex-military officers he described as “soldier-democrats” for their roles during the June 12 struggle.
Among those listed were 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 and Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Muazu.
Tinubu also acknowledged the then Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, now Etsu Nupe, who already holds the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) national honour.
“The honours list will be released in the next few days,” the president stated.
The president further announced the renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna after the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.
“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,” he said.
Reflecting on the significance of June 12, Tinubu paid tribute to the winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election, late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, as well as his wife, late Kudirat Abiola, and other pro-democracy figures.
“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,” he said.
The president also honoured the memories of late Gani Fawehinmi, late Bola Ige, late Alfred Rewane, late Abraham Adesanya, late Anthony Enahoro, late Balarabe Musa, late Dan Suleiman, late Beko Ransome-Kuti, late Frank Kokori, late Arthur Nwankwo, late Chima Ubani and late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (rtd), among other democracy advocates.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain united and committed to democratic ideals, stressing that the nation must build on the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom.
“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,” he said.
The president expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future despite current challenges, declaring that the country’s diversity remains a source of strength.
“Twenty-seven 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,” Tinubu added.
