President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours on 51 eminent Nigerians, including media icons, pro-democracy activists and retired military officers, in commemoration of the 2026 Democracy Day.
Naijaonpoint reports that the President announced the awards in a nationwide broadcast marking 27 years of unbroken civilian rule in Nigeria.
Tinubu paid tribute to the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, and other icons of the pro-democracy struggle.
He said although Nigeria’s democracy was not perfect, it remained the ultimate vehicle for national development.
Prominent among those listed for national honours were National Democratic Coalition chieftains, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obioha and the late Dr Arthur Nwankwo.
Media veterans on the list include Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Sir Ademola Osinubi and Dele Alake.
Activists honoured include Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Richard Akinnola and Prof Sylvester Odion-Akhaine.
The President also recognised what he described as “soldier-democrats” who opposed military rule.
They include Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), Col. Lawan Gwadabe (retd.), Maj.-Gen. Ishola Williams (retd.) and the Etsu Nupe, Brig.-Gen. Yahaya Abubakar (retd.).
In a major institutional honour, Tinubu approved the renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
The gesture formed part of the administration’s recognition of figures who played roles in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Addressing the country’s security challenges, especially recent student abductions in Oyo and Borno states, Tinubu said security remained central to democratic governance.
“Democracy without security is a mirage,” he said.
The President disclosed that the 2026 budget allocated a record ₦5.41 trillion to defence.
He also said the government was recruiting over 50,000 police officers to strengthen internal security.
“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever,” Tinubu warned.
He added that terror-related deaths had dropped by 81 per cent since 2015, while over 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the past year.
On the economy, Tinubu defended his administration’s reforms, saying they were necessary to rescue public finances.
He said the next phase of his government would focus on ensuring that “democracy is felt in the pocket” of ordinary citizens.
According to him, the administration will prioritise efforts to tackle inflation, boost local production and improve living conditions.
To address Nigeria’s electricity crisis, Tinubu announced that the Presidential Power Sector Task Force had been authorised to raise a ₦4tn bond to clear legacy debts in the power value chain.
He said the Electricity Act, which decentralises power generation to states, was already producing results.
The President also reaffirmed his commitment to full financial autonomy for the 774 local government areas.
He linked the rise in rural insecurity to the collapse of local governance, saying stronger local institutions were necessary for development and security.
Tinubu urged political actors and institutions to protect democratic principles ahead of the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.
