*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has hails heroes and heroines of democracy, as he awards National Honours to 50 Nigerians as the country commemorates its Democracy Day June 12, 2026
Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has hailed the heroes and heroines of democracy, bestowing National Honours on them on the commemoration of the country’s 2026 Democracy Day Friday, June 12, 2026.
Tinubu disclosed this development Friday as part of activities to mark this year’s Democracy Day celebrations in the West African country.
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The Nigerian leader also took the opportunity of the occasion to reeling off his administration’s goals, results, challenges and efforts to address issues facing the country.
Applauding the heroes and heroines of democracy in Nigeria. Tinubu bestowed national honours on them, and urged Nigerian youths to believe in the country and ‘build here’.
Significance of June 12 in national memory, by Tinubu
Highlighting the essence of June 12 struggle should not be lost on millions of Nigerians, President Tinubu said the date “occupies a sacred place in our national memory.”
The President said June 12 represented more than an election, stating “it is a defining chapter in our story.”
He equally remembered late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate transcending ethnicity and religion in the year’s Presidential Election.
Tinubu averred: “We remember Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
“We also remember Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and the many other heroes and heroines of democracy whose sacrifices helped to secure the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Tinubu stressed that as beneficiaries of their struggle, Nigerian leaders and the citizens have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought.
He stated: “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.”
The President also emphasised that June 12, 1993, revealed the possibility of “a true Nigerian nation”.
‘Heroes of June 12 secured political freedom for Nigerians’
Stressing the heroes of June 12 secured political freedom, President Tinubu said: “Our challenge is to secure economic freedom.
“Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives—in opportunities for youths, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers.”
He as well lamented that insecurity the country is addressing is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance.
Tinubu, however, assured Nigerians that his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda is about ensuring that all Nigerians benefit from governance.
Tinubu: Our generation must secure prosperity
Appreciating efforts of the country’s forebears on gaining Independence and securing democracy, the President asserted: “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.”
He urged the citizenry to move forward together by rejecting division, cynicism, and despair.
He rather encouraged fellow citizens to embrace unity, hope, and confidence.
“Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant,” said he.
Some architects of modern democratic Nigeria
President Tinubu, in his Democracy Day speech, said among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, the country has honoured late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership.
According to the President, in recognition of Yar’Adua’s contributions, the Federal Government has approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
He said: “I am also pleased to announce National Awards to the following Nigerians, who suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today”:
- 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
- Sylvester Odion-Akhaine
- Arthur Nwankwo (Posthumous)
- Osagie Obayuwana
- Joe Okei-Odumakin
- Barrister Titus Mann
- Joe Igbokwe
- Richard Akinnola
- Ben Charles-Obi (Posthumous)
- George Mbah
- Niran Malaolu
- Major-General Ishola Williams (Rtd.)
- Femi Aborisade
- Jenkins Alumona
- Gbemiga Ogunleye
- Muyiwa Adekeye
- Babajide Kolade-Otitoju
- Ike Okonta
President Tinubu also announced the Federal Government has recognised the soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle as follows:
- Major-General M. A. Garba
- Brigadier-General Lawal Jaafaru Isa
- Umar Farouk Ahmed
- Sambo Dasuki
- Lawan Gwadabe
- Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong
- Musa Shehu;
- Major-General Chris Eze;
- Major-General Harris Dzarma
- Col Isa Jibrin
- Major-General Joseph Oshanupin
- Olusegun Oloruntoba (Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom)
- Lieutenant-Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus
- J Okai;
- Emmanuel Ndubueze;
- -Col Yakubu Muazu
- Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the current Etsu Nupe, who is already the holder of the CFR title.
The Nigerian President disclosed the National Honours list would be released in the next few days.
Tinubu, therefore, urged Nigerians to sustain the country’s democracy.
He said: “Fellow Nigerians, 27 years ago, many doubted democracy would survive here because of our diversity.
“Today, our diversity sustains our democracy. The road ahead is steep. “But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break.
The President added: “Let us renew our covenant: That the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land.”