Nigeria has made progress since 1960 – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu on Friday announced a fresh round of national honours for dozens of pro-democracy activists, journalists, politicians and military officers who played key roles in the struggle to restore democratic governance in Nigeria following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

The announcement formed a major highlight of his 2026 Democracy Day address to the nation, during which he also disclosed that the official honours list would be released in the coming days.

Tinubu said the award recipients were Nigerians who “suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today.”

Among those named for national honours are veteran journalists Tunde Fagbenle, Segun Babatope, Louis Odion, Sam Omatseye, Bola Bolawole, Femi Kusa and Gbemiga Ogunleye; democracy activists including Chief Ayo Opadokun, Debo Adeniran, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin and Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine; as well as several other prominent figures who participated in the struggle against military rule.

The President also recognised late pro-democracy campaigners, including Dr Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi, both of whom were listed posthumously.

In a separate category, Tinubu honoured what he described as the “soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle” for their contributions to the restoration of democratic rule.

Those recognised include Major General M.A. Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma and several other retired military officers.

“The honours list will be released in the next few days,” the President announced.

Tinubu also paid tribute to the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, whom he described as one of the architects of modern democratic Nigeria.

“Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership,” he said.

In recognition of the late military officer’s contributions to national development and democratic advancement, the President announced the renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna.

“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,” Tinubu stated.

Reflecting on the significance of Democracy Day, Tinubu described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s history and paid tribute to the heroes and heroines whose sacrifices paved the way for democratic governance.

He specifically remembered the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 election, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, and his wife, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, alongside several other pro-democracy icons.

“We remember Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate transcending ethnicity and religion. We remember Alhaja Kudirat Abiola,” he said.

The President also honoured the memories of 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, Chima Ubani and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, among others.

“We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy,” he declared.

The President used the occasion to urge Nigerians to remain committed to democratic values and national unity, stressing that democracy can only thrive when citizens continue to believe in the country’s institutions.

Addressing the National Assembly, Judiciary, media and civil society organisations, Tinubu said: “Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria.”

He noted that Nigeria has now enjoyed 27 consecutive years of democratic rule, the longest stretch of civilian governance in the country’s history.

“Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it,” he said.

As the nation marked Democracy Day, Tinubu called on Nigerians to honour the sacrifices of past heroes by strengthening democratic institutions and working collectively to build a more prosperous country.

“The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom,” the President said.

He concluded with a message of resilience and hope, declaring that despite the country’s challenges, Nigerians remain unbreakable.

“June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break,” Tinubu said.