As part of activities marking this year’s Democracy Day celebration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday conferred national honours on 28 notable Nigerians for their exceptional contributions and sacrifices toward the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria. The awards were presented during a special joint sitting of the National Assembly in Abuja, commemorating 25 years of unbroken democratic governance in the country.
Prominent among the recipients are Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, retired military chief and NADECO stalwart Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd), veteran diplomat Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), and a host of late pro-democracy icons honoured posthumously for their courage and resistance during Nigeria’s military era.
President Tinubu, who himself played a central role in the struggle for the actualization of the June 12, 1993 mandate and was a leading figure in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), said the honours were a long-overdue tribute to the men and women who stood firmly against dictatorship and sacrificed their comfort, careers, and lives for Nigeria’s freedom.
“These patriots refused to bow to tyranny. They fought not for power or privilege, but for the soul of our nation. Their sacrifices gave birth to the democratic system we enjoy today,” the president said during the solemn but proud ceremony.
List of Honourees and National Awards
Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON)
Conferred for outstanding national impact:
- Prof. Wole Soyinka
- Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd)
- Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi
Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) (Posthumous ):
- Chief Anthony Enahoro
- Chief Abraham Adesanya
- Commodore Dan Suleiman
- Chief Arthur Nwankwo
- Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife
- Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu
- Chief Frank Kokori
- Chief Bola Ige
- Chief Adekunle Ajasin
- Chief Ganiyu Dawodu
- Chief Ayo Fasanmi
- Chief Gani Fawehinmi
- Chief Olabiyi Durojaiye
- Dr. Beko Ransome‑Kuti
- Mr. Chima Ubani
Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) (Living recipients):
- Dr. Olisa Agbakoba
- Mr. Femi Falana, SAN
- Mr. Abdul Oroh
- Senator Shehu Sani
- Governor Uba Sani
- Chief Olu Falae
- Chief Ayo Adebanjo
- Chief Ayo Opadokun
This year’s Democracy Day also marked 31 years since the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, believed to have been won by late business mogul, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola. The annulment by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida triggered a nationwide democratic movement, with many of the awardees becoming central figures in the resistance against successive military regimes.
President Tinubu, while acknowledging the scars of that era, said the lessons of history must guide future generations.
“The blood and tears shed for democracy must not be in vain. We must not only honour these heroes with medals, but also with our actions by deepening democracy, promoting justice, and protecting the freedoms they fought for,” he said.
There was standing ovation when the names of Soyinka, Akinrinade, and Falana were mentioned. Speaking on behalf of the honourees, Femi Falana, SAN, described the gesture as “healing,” while urging the government to immortalize the heroes with more than symbolic gestures.
“Beyond awards, we must address lingering injustices. Some widows and families of our fallen comrades still suffer in silence. Compensation, recognition, and justice are essential to national healing,” Falana said.
The honours were met with widespread commendation by civil society groups, pro-democracy activists, and political observers. The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Campaign for Democracy (CD), and Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) all praised the federal government for recognising long-forgotten patriots.
“This is the most comprehensive effort by any government since 1999 to give institutional recognition to the June 12 struggle,” said Dr. Fredrick Odorige, a rights historian.
President Tinubu concluded by calling on Nigerians, especially the youth, to study the lives of these honourees and draw inspiration from their patriotism, courage, and resilience.
“Let us always remember that democracy is never given freely; it must be defended daily—through civic responsibility, tolerance, dialogue, and respect for the rule of law,” he said.
With the conferral of national honours on these democracy icons, the 2025 Democracy Day celebration transcended mere ceremony. It became a day of reckoning, healing, and recommitment to the values that sustain a free and just society.
As Nigeria marches forward, the echoes of June 12 and the courage of its heroes remain a constant reminder that freedom though costly is always worth fighting for.
