Tinubu Confers National Honours on 68 Nigerians, Grants Presidential Pardon to Ogoni Nine

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during the 2025 Democracy Day address, announced the conferment of national honours on 68 notable Nigerians, including posthumous recognitions to individuals who played pivotal roles in Nigeria’s democratic journey. Among them was Kudirat Abiola, posthumously awarded the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), in recognition of her pivotal role in the June 12 pro-democracy struggle.

Others who received posthumous honours include Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa Alfred Rewani (CFR), Bagauda Kaltho (OON), Chima Ubani (OON), Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON), Alao Aka Bashorun (CON), Chief Frank Kokori (CON), Emma Ezeazu (OON), Bamidele Aturu (OON), Fredrick Fasehun (CON), Prof Festus Iyayi (CON), Dr John Yima Sen (OON), Alhaja Sawaba Gambo (CON), Dr Alex Ibru (CON), Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Senator Ayo Fasanmi (CON), Senator Polycarp Nwite (CON), and Dr Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON).

Living recipients include Pa Reuben Fasoranti (CFR), Dr Edwin Madunagu (CON), Prof Olatunji Dare (CON), Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Ayo Obe (OON), and Prof Shafideen Amuwo (CON) among others.

The President also conferred honours on Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu (CON), veteran journalist and founder of Vanguard Newspapers, in celebration of his 90th birthday on June 13.

In a symbolic move of reconciliation, Tinubu granted presidential pardons and posthumous honours to the Ogoni Nine, led by Ken Saro-Wiwa (CON). Others included Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine, all conferred with Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). The President noted that a formal exoneration process would be pursued in consultation with the National Council of State.

He also decorated top lawmakers with earlier awarded honours: Senate President Godswill Akpabio (GCON), Speaker Abbas Tajudeen (GCON), Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau (CFR), and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu (CFR).

Since assuming office, Tinubu has conducted three rounds of investitures. This follows former President Muhammadu Buhari’s awards in his final weeks, including 339 honours conferred on May 28, 2023. With this latest list, an estimated 5,786 individuals have received national honours since the establishment of the National Honours Act in 1964.

Only 16 individuals have received the GCFR, a title exclusively reserved for the President. Forty-eight hold the GCON, and 369 are listed under CFR.

The President promised that corrected entries would be gazetted before the official investiture ceremonies later in the year.

Reactions:

MOSOP Responds to Tinubu’s Pardon

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) praised President Tinubu’s move as a “historic and positive step.” However, it emphasized that the ultimate demand of the Ogoni people was exoneration, not a pardon.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt by Fegalo Nsuke, MOSOP stressed that the executed activists were innocent, and the murder charges must be overturned. The statement read:

“Pardon implies an offence was committed. In the case of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his compatriots, no legitimate crime was committed. President Tinubu himself acknowledged that their unjust execution should never have happened.”

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Commends Tinubu

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide expressed gratitude for the honour accorded to Prof Humphrey Nwosu, who conducted the 1993 elections. The group’s spokesperson, Dr Ezechi Chukwu, said:

“Though late, the honour is welcomed. However, we urge the Federal Government to name the INEC Headquarters after Prof Nwosu in recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic history.”

Fayemi: Radio Kudirat Heroes Overlooked

Former Ekiti State Governor and pro-democracy activist Dr. Kayode Fayemi expressed concern that contributors to the Kudirat Radio project were not recognised.

Speaking on a Channels TV special programme, “Nigeria’s Democratic Journey: An Inter-Generational Conversation”, Fayemi said:

“I led that project, but many others risked their lives and have gone unacknowledged.”

He urged the federal government to establish a national museum or monument in Abuja to document Nigeria’s democratic struggles.

“What we got in 1999 was the right to vote. But we are still on the journey to real democracy. We need to go beyond elections and build a system of accountable governance.”

Fayemi praised Tinubu’s continuation of Buhari’s gesture of recognising June 12 as Democracy Day, but said more needed to be done to fully honour the legacy of those who fought for Nigeria’s democratic rebirth.