Tinubu Confers National Honours On Dele Alake, Dasuki, Others (Full List)

President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours on 50 Nigerians who played key roles in the country’s pro-democracy struggle.

Naija News gathered that the 2026 Democracy Day national honours list includes journalists, civil rights leaders and senior military officers involved in the fight against military dictatorship.

Tinubu announced the honours on Friday as part of activities marking Democracy Day.

The President said June 12 remained a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

“June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story,” Tinubu said.

He said Nigerians who benefited from the sacrifices of pro-democracy activists had a duty to protect and deepen democratic institutions.

“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 added.

Tinubu said the June 12, 1993, election revealed the possibility of a truly united Nigerian nation.

According to him, while the heroes of June 12 secured political freedom, the current generation must work to secure economic freedom.

The President said, “June 12, 1993, revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation. The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom.

“Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives, in opportunities for youth, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers.

“Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence—the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity.”

Tinubu said the honourees endured hardship and personal sacrifice in the struggle to restore democracy.

The President said the awardees “suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today.”

FULL LIST

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

Ike Okonta

SOLDIER-DEMOCRATS

Major General MA Garba

Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa

Col Umar Farouk Ahmed

Col Sambo Dasuki

Col Lawan Gwadabe

Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong

Col Musa Shehu

Major General Chris Eze

Major General Harris Dzarma

Col Isa Jibrin

Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin

Col Olusegun Oloruntoba, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom)

Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus

Col J Okai

Col Emmanuel Ndubueze

Lt Col Yakubu Muazu

Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Current Etsu Nupe, who is already the holder of the CFR title.

The president said the full honours list will be released in the “next few days”.