President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently made sweeping decisions regarding pardons, clemency, and national honors, following the endorsement of the National Council of State which convened in Abuja. These significant actions, aimed at promoting justice, rehabilitation, and national recognition, saw a total of 175 beneficiaries from the prerogative of mercy and 959 individuals approved for national awards.

Among the recipients of presidential pardons were several notable figures. Posthumous pardons were granted to Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, who was sentenced to death in 1986 over a treason charge, and Herbert Macaulay, a revered Nigerian nationalist and co-founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), who was believed to be unjustly convicted by British colonialists in 1913. The pardon aims to expunge the stigma from Macaulay's records. Furthermore, the ‘Ogoni Nine’ – Ken Saro Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine – were also formally pardoned posthumously. Living individuals granted pardons include former House of Representatives member Farouk Lawan, Anastasia Nwaobia, Hussaini Umar, Ayinla Alanamu, Nweke Chibueze (serving a life sentence for cocaine), and Dr. Nwogu Peters (who had served 12 out of his 17-year sentence for fraud). These pardons were extended to enable reintegration into society, given demonstrated remorse.

In a broader exercise of his constitutional power of mercy, President Tinubu granted clemency to 82 inmates and reduced the prison terms of 65 others. Additionally, seven inmates on death row received a reprieve, with their sentences commuted to life imprisonment. These measures are intended to help decongest Correctional Centres and promote restorative justice across the country, reflecting the government’s commitment to tempering justice with mercy.

President Tinubu’s decisions were based on the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM). This 12-member committee, chaired by the Attorney General and Justice Minister, Lateef Fagbemi, was inaugurated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, on January 15, 2025. The committee’s criteria for recommendations included old age (60 years and above), ill health likely to be terminal, young persons (16 years and below), long-term convicts with good records (10 years or more served), convicts serving three years or more who have learned vocational trades, those adjudged remorseful, inmates recommended by correctional officers for exemplary behavior, and Nigerian prisoners deported from other countries.

The President also approved the conferment of national honors on 959 eminent individuals. This includes 824 successful applicants for the 2024-2025 National Honors and 135 special awards. Notable posthumous honorees include the ‘Ogoni Four’ – Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage – recognized for their environmental activism. Other honorees include Bill Gates, acknowledged for his contributions to public health and humanitarian support in Nigeria; living and fallen icons of Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle; veteran journalist and publisher Sam Amuka Pemu; members of the Super Falcons and D’Tigress for their international sporting achievements; and Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, the immediate past INEC chairman, for his service to Nigeria’s democratic process.

The national honors process was diligently managed by a reconstituted National Honors Award Committee, chaired by His Royal Highness Justice Mohammed Sidi Bage. This committee, serving for four years, screened over 5,000 applications before recommending the deserving citizens and friends of Nigeria for admission into the nation's roll of honors.

Beyond pardons and honors, the National Council of State also ratified several key national appointments. Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) was approved as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while Dr. Aminu Yusuf was appointed Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC). Additionally, Alhaji Tonge Beta Bularafa’s appointment as Federal Commissioner representing Yobe State at the NPC was ratified.

Significant reforms for the Nigerian Police Trust Fund were also approved. The Council endorsed the repeal and re-enactment of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund Establishment Act 2019 to remove its six-year sunset clause, thus transitioning it into a permanent agency. Furthermore, the deduction from the federation account for the fund will be reviewed upward from 0.5% to 2%. The fund, established in 2019, aims to enhance police training, equipment, logistics, infrastructure, modernization through technology, and improve welfare, accountability, and crime prevention.

The National Council of State meeting saw the virtual attendance of former Military President Ibrahim Babangida and former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, alongside other statutory members including former Chief Justices of Nigeria, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and state governors. These comprehensive decisions underscore the government's focus on restorative justice, national recognition, and institutional strengthening.