Tinubu Confers National Honours On Dele Alake, Dasuki, Others — See Full List

According to Ireporter Online, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred national honours on 50 Nigerians who played significant roles in the country’s pro-democracy struggle, particularly those involved in the resistance against military rule.

The 2026 Democracy Day honours list features prominent journalists, civil rights activists, and retired military officers who were instrumental in the fight to restore democratic governance in Nigeria.

The President announced the awards on Friday during activities marking Democracy Day, describing June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic history.

Tinubu stated that June 12 represents more than an election, but a sacred chapter in the nation’s collective memory, adding that it symbolizes the struggle that shaped modern Nigeria’s democracy. He emphasized that beneficiaries of the sacrifices made by pro-democracy activists have a responsibility to strengthen democratic institutions and ensure good governance.

He further noted that while the heroes of June 12 secured political freedom for the country, the current generation must focus on achieving economic freedom that improves the lives of citizens.

According to him, democracy must translate into real-life benefits such as job opportunities for youths, improved livelihoods for farmers, thriving entrepreneurship, and dignity for workers, stressing that each generation has a duty to build on the achievements of the previous one.

Tinubu also acknowledged that the honourees endured persecution, exile, incarceration, and various forms of hardship during the struggle to restore democracy, describing their sacrifices as the foundation of Nigeria’s current democratic system.

Below is the full list of recipients:

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 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
Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Muazu
Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar (Etsu Nupe)

The Presidency added that the complete official honours list will be made public in the coming days.