Tinubu confers national honours on Abiola, Soyinka, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Yar’Adua, Others [FULL LIST]
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday announced the conferment of national honours on dozens of distinguished Nigerians—both living and deceased—as part of activities marking Democracy Day.
The announcement was made during the President’s State of the Nation Address at the National Assembly in Abuja.
Among those honoured were prominent pro-democracy figures, human rights activists, and advocates of justice and accountability in Nigeria’s history.
Notably, the late Kudirat Abiola was posthumously conferred with the title of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR). Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka was decorated with the prestigious Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
Also posthumously honoured were the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and other members of the Ogoni Nine—activists who were executed during the military regime for their environmental and civil rights advocacy.
In a significant move, President Tinubu also granted presidential pardons to these national figures.
“I shall also be exercising my powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State,” the President said.
The national honours span various categories, including Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), and Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
Below is the full list of awardees as announced by President Tinubu:
Kudirat Abiola – CFR
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua – GCFR
Prof. Humphrey Nwosu – CON
Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu – CON
Alhaji Balarabe Musa – CFR
Pa Alfred Rewane – 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. Edwin Madunagu – CON
Dr. Alex Ibru – CON
Chief Bola Ige – CFR
Pa Reuben Fasoranti – CFR
Senator Ayo Fasanmi – CON
Senator Polycarp Nwite – CON
Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo – CON
Prof. Wole Soyinka – GCON
Prof. Olatunji Dare – CON
Kunle Ajibade – OON
Nosa Igiebor – OON
Dapo Olorunyomi – OON
Bayo Onanuga – CON
Ayo Obe – OON
Dare Babarinsa – CON
Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah – CON
Senator Shehu Sani – CON
Governor Uba Sani – CON
Barrister Femi Falana, SAN – CON
Prof. Shafideen Amuwo – CON
Barrister Luke Aghanenu – OON
Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi – CON
Hon. Labaran Maku – OON
Dr. Tunji Alausa – CON
Mr. Nick Dazang – OON
Hon. Abdul Oroh – OON
Odia Ofeimun – CON
Seye Kehinde – OON
Barrister Felix Morka – CON
Barrister Ledum Mitee – CON
Hon. Olawale Osun – CON
Dr. Amos Akingba – CON
Prof. Segun Gbadegesin – CON
Mobolaji Akinyemi – CFR
Dr. Kayode Shonoiki – CON
Prof. Julius Ihonvbere – CON
Prof. Bayo Williams – CON
Senator Abu Ibrahim – CFR
Senator Ame Ebute – CFR
Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu – CON
Ken Saro-Wiwa – CON
Saturday Dobee – OON
Nordu Eawo – OON
Daniel Gbooko – OON
Paul Levera – OON
Felix Nuate – OON
Baribor Bera – OON
Barinem Kiobel – OON
John Kpuine – OON
The honours and presidential pardons reflect what President Tinubu described as a commitment to recognizing the sacrifices made by individuals in the pursuit of justice, democracy, and good governance in Nigeria.
