The Presidency has released the official list of 101 awardees for the 2025 Democracy Day National Honours, recognising Nigerians, both living and dead, who have made significant contributions to the nation’s democratic journey.
The honours, which include the second-highest national honour – Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), and Member of the Federal Republic (MFR), were announced by President Bola Tinubu during the 2025 Democracy Day Address to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday.
The awards cut across various sectors, including civil society, journalism, politics, and activism, with a strong nod to pro-democracy advocates, media voices during the struggle for the actualisation of June 12, 1993 election, and national development champions.
Two individuals received the GCON, including a posthumous award to the late Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
However, President Tinubu used the occasion to decorate Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas with their GCON awards, while Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, with their CFR awards and were presented with certificates.
Hereunder is the full list of the fresh 67 recipients as released by the Presidency:
Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON)
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua
Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas
Senator Godswill Akpabio
Wole Soyinka
Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)
Ghali Umar Na’Abba
Salisu Buhari
Umaru Dikko
Uche Chukwumerije
Bala Mohammed Gwagwarwa
Innocent Chukwuma
Tony Nnadi
Olisa Agbakoba
Nuhu Ribadu
Hafsat Abiola-Costello
Tunde Bakare
Kabiru Yusuf
Jibrin Ibrahim
Clement Nwankwo
Alao Aka Bashorun
Alhaja Sawaba Gambo
Barrister Felix Moria
Bayo Onanuga
Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah
Chief Frank Kokori
Dare Babarinsa
Dr John Yuma Sen
Dr Alex Ibru
Dr Amos Ayingba
Dr Beko Ransome Kuti
Dr Edwin Madunagu
Dr Kayode Shonoiki
Dr Nurudeen Olowpopo
Femi Falana, SAN
Fredrick Fasehun
Governor Uba Sani
Ken Saro Wiwa
Ladin Mitee
Mobolaji Akinyemi
Olawale Osun
Prof Bayo Williams
Prof Humphrey Nwosu
Prof Julius Ihonvbere
Prof Olayinji Dare
Prof Segun Gbadegesin
Prof Shafideen Amuwo
Prof Festus Iyayi
Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu
Senator Ayo Fasanmu
Senator Polycarp Nwite
Senator Shehu Sani
Tokumbo Afikuyomi
Tunji Alausa
Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)
Abdul Oroh
Ayo Obe
Bagauda Kaltho
Bamidele Aturu
Baribor Bera
Barinem Kiobel
Chima Ubani
Daniel Gboko
Dapo Olorunyomi
Emma Ezeazu
Felix Nuate
John Kpuine
Kunle Ajibade
Labaran Maku
Luke Aghanenu
Nick Dazang
Nordu Eawo
Nosa Igiebor
Paul Levera
Sam Amuka Pemu
Saturday Dobee
Seye Kehinde
Commander Of The Federal Republic
Alhaji Balarabe Musa
Chief Bola Ige
Kudirat Abiola
Pa Alfred Rewane
Pa Reuben Fasaranti
Rt. Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu
Sen Abu Ibrahim
Sen Ame Ebute
Sen Jibrjn Ibrahim Barau
Member of the Federal Republic (MFR)
Ibijoke Faborode
Seun Onigbinde
Samson Itodo
Ezenwa Nwagwu
Kemi Okenyodo
Akin Akingbulu
Raymond Duke Tenebe
Oby Nwankwo
Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi
Ariyo-Dare Atoye
Ndidi Nwuneli
Auwal Musa Rafsanjani
Y.Z. Ya’u
Jaiye Gaskia
Jaye Gaskia
Issa Aremu
Hamzat Lawal
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