By, Olawale Ogunbusola, Ibadan

President Bola Tinubu has announced national honours for a wide range of Nigerians who played significant roles in the country’s pro-democracy struggle, including journalists, activists, civil society leaders, and retired military officers.

The announcement was made as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, where the President paid tribute to individuals who endured persecution, exile, imprisonment, and other hardships during the struggle to restore democratic rule in Nigeria.

Among the honourees are prominent pro-democracy advocates and public commentators including 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 and Chief Ralph Obiora.

Others recognised include 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, Maj-Gen Ishola Williams (rtd), Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Ike Okonta.

The President also honoured a group described as “soldier-democrats,” made up of retired and serving military officers who, according to him, supported Nigeria’s democratic transition and stability during critical periods.

The military honourees included Maj-Gen M.A. Garba, Brig-Gen Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Col Umar Farouk Ahmed, Col Sambo Dasuki, Col Lawan Gwadabe, Brig-Gen Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Col Musa Shehu, Maj-Gen Chris Eze, Maj-Gen Harris Dzarma, Col Isa Jibrin, Maj-Gen Joseph Oshanupin, Col Olusegun Oloruntoba, Lt Col Happy Kefas Bulus, Col J. Okai, Col Emmanuel Ndubueze, Lt Col Yakubu Muazu and Brig-Gen Yahaya Abubakar, who is also the current Etsu Nupe.

Tinubu said the honours were meant to recognise the sacrifices of those who contributed to the survival and consolidation of democracy in Nigeria, noting that many of them suffered intimidation and hardship in the course of their activism.

He added that the official list of national honours would be released in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the President reaffirmed that June 12 remains a symbolic reminder of Nigeria’s democratic journey and the sacrifices that made civilian rule possible, urging citizens to continue to strengthen democratic institutions for future generations.