Democracy Day Honours: Tinubu Recognizes Late Kudirat Abiola, TELL’s Nosa Igiebor, and Other Icons of Freedom

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In a moment of historic national reflection and celebration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during his Democracy Day address at a joint session of the National Assembly, conferred national honours on over 80 Nigerians both living and deceased who shaped Nigeria’s long journey to democracy.

Among the decorated was Nosa Igiebor, fearless journalist and publisher of TELL Magazine, who was awarded the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) for his courageous reporting during the military era.

Leading the roll call of posthumous honourees was Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, wife of the late Chief MKO Abiola, who was awarded the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR). President Tinubu described her as the “heroine of the June 12 struggle” and a symbol of resistance who was tragically assassinated for daring to challenge military tyranny.

In a powerful gesture of reconciliation and remembrance, Tinubu also conferred a posthumous Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and honoured pro-democracy icons such as Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine who were executed under General Sani Abacha’s regime—with national honours and an official presidential pardon.

The Democracy Day ceremony paid tribute not just to political figures and civil rights heroes, but also to members of the press who risked and, in many cases, gave their lives to speak truth to power. Nosa Igiebor’s recognition as OON marks a particularly poignant moment for Nigerian journalism. As the face of TELL Magazine‘s fearless coverage of the Abacha regime’s excesses, Igiebor endured arrests, intimidation, and years of underground publishing, earning global respect for his role in defending press freedom and democracy.

Others honoured from the media world included Kunle Ajibade, Dapo Olorunyomi, Bayo Onanuga, Dare Babarinsa, and Seye Kehinde each of whom received various national honours for their commitment to public truth and accountability. Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka was also honoured with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) for his lifelong activism and intellectual leadership.

President Tinubu extended the honours to human rights lawyers like Femi Falana (SAN), Professor Shafideen Amuwo, and Felix Morka, as well as political activists like Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Senator Shehu Sani, and Governor Uba Sani.

In his address, the president underscored the solemnity of the occasion, emphasizing that these awards are more than ceremonial they are an acknowledgment of the price many paid to secure the democratic space Nigerians now occupy.

“We must rededicate ourselves to the ideals of June 12: freedom, transparent and accountable government, social justice, active citizen participation, and a just society where no one is oppressed,” Tinubu said, urging leaders and citizens alike to honour the legacy of Nigeria’s democratic martyrs not only with medals, but with action and reforms.

As the nation marks 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, the president’s Democracy Day gesture serves as both a tribute and a challenge: to remember the past, honour the present, and secure a future where justice, press freedom, and civic courage continue to thrive.