President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in observance of the 2025 Democracy Day, has conferred national honours upon numerous individuals, both living and posthumous, recognizing their significant contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey. The ceremony, held at a joint session of the National Assembly, served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made to achieve and sustain the nation's democracy.

A notable posthumous recipient of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) was Humphrey Nwosu, the late former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC). Nwosu, appointed by former military President Ibrahim Babangida, famously presided over the historic 1993 election, widely believed to have been won by Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, whose role was also acknowledged by Tinubu as June 12’s central figure. This honour comes despite a recent motion in the Senate to name the INEC headquarters after him being rejected. President Tinubu emphasized that the struggle for democracy was pan-Nigerian, involving many heroes who deserve recognition.

Among other key figures posthumously honoured with the CON was Alex Ibru, publisher of The Guardian newspaper, for his pivotal role in Nigeria’s media and democratic evolution, especially his courageous stand for press freedom during military rule. The President praised The Guardian under Ibru's leadership as a fearless champion of truth. Other posthumous recipients included Kudirat Abiola (CFR), Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Pa Alfred Rewane (CFR), Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Bagauda Kaltho (OON), and Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR). Living recipients included esteemed personalities such as Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON), Femi Falana, SAN (CON), and Sam Amuka-Pemu (CON).

In a significant move towards reconciliation, President Tinubu posthumously honoured Ken Saro-Wiwa and the eight other members of the Ogoni Nine, executed in 1995 under the Abacha regime. They were awarded CON and OON honours and granted full presidential pardons, an act described by Tinubu as “an overdue act of justice and healing.” The President also formally decorated key officers of the National Assembly, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio (GCON) and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, PhD (GCON).

However, the honours list was not without error. The Presidency, through Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued a formal apology for mistakenly including Pa Reuben Fasoranti, leader of Afenifere, and Dr Edwin Madunagu, a renowned journalist and activist, in the posthumous award category, despite both being alive. The error drew widespread criticism, leading to immediate correction across official records.

Reacting to the honours, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, commended President Tinubu for recognizing its leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, alongside others like Chief Bola Ige and Prof. Wole Soyinka. The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Jare Ajayi, stated that the honours underscored the significance of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. He particularly lauded the recognition of Professor Humphrey Nwosu and acknowledged Kudirat Abiola as an indisputable heroine. However, Mrs Funsho Adegbola, daughter of the late Chief Bola Ige, expressed gratitude for her father's recognition but lamented that his killers remain unpunished 24 years after his assassination.

During a public lecture commemorating Democracy Day, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, called on citizens and leaders to protect and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, describing the journey as a hard-won achievement. Akume highlighted Nigeria’s resilience amid democratic backsliding in Africa, emphasizing that democracy must lead to meaningful improvements in citizens' lives, as “democracy without development is empty.” He praised President Tinubu for his transformative leadership and ambitious reform agenda aimed at economic revival, infrastructure renewal, and good governance, urging Nigerians to recommit to nation-building and democratic ideals, aligning with the principles of June 12: freedom, transparent governance, social justice, and active citizen participation.