President Bola Tinubu has conferred posthumous national honours on Kudirat Abiola, the late wife of Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election, along with several other pro-democracy heroes and heroines.
The announcement was made during a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday as part of the 2025 Democracy Day celebrations. Tinubu said the honours were in recognition of the sacrifices made by individuals who fought for the country’s democratic stability.
“As we mark a twenty-sixth year of unbroken democracy, it is right to honour those who have made sacrifices in the past, braving all the odds and the guns to ensure we have a regime of democracy in our country,” he said.
Kudirat Abiola was awarded the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), while Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the chairman of the National Electoral Commission during the 1993 election, was posthumously honoured as Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
The president also announced honours for the following: Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa Alfred Rewani (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), Professor 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)
Other recipients include:
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)
In addition, the president conferred the national honour of CON on Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu, the veteran journalist and publisher, ahead of his 90th birthday on June 13.
Tinubu also posthumously honoured the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and other members of the Ogoni Nine, including: Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON), Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), John Kpuine (OON)
He announced plans to grant all of them full pardons under the prerogative of mercy, adding that more names would be revealed in conjunction with the National Council of State.
