President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally exercised his constitutional powers under Section 175 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), signing legal instruments granting clemency, commutation of sentences, and presidential pardons. Following an extensive and meticulous review process, which included consultations with the Council of State and consideration of widespread public feedback, the initial list of 175 prospective beneficiaries was significantly narrowed down to a final list of 86 individuals. This revised list was released around October 29, 2025, reflecting a cautious approach to the exercise of presidential prerogative of mercy.

The comprehensive review was necessitated by the administration's sensitivity to the feelings of victims, the imperative to strengthen national security, and the need to bolster public confidence in law enforcement. Consequently, individuals previously recommended but convicted of serious offenses such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms or arms dealing were removed from the list of beneficiaries. President Tinubu explained that the decision aligns with the principle of justice as a