President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved national honours for 959 Nigerians and friends of the country in recognition of their outstanding service and contributions to the nation.
The announcement came after a Council of State meeting held on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr. Emanso Umobong, explained that the report covered both the 2024 and 2025 National Honours and the special awards conferred by President Tinubu between January 2025 and now.
“The Council today approved the report of the National Honours Award Committee for the years 2024 and 2025, as well as the special awards earlier bestowed by the President between January 2025 and now,”
— Dr. Umobong stated.
She recalled that in August 2021, President Tinubu approved the reconstitution of the National Honours Award Committee, chaired by His Royal Highness Justice Sidi Bage Mohammed (rtd), the Emir of Lafia and a former Justice of the Supreme Court.
The committee, made up of respected Nigerians, screened over 5,000 nominations and recommended 824 recipients for national honours and 135 for special presidential awards, bringing the total to 959 honourees.
According to Dr. Umobong,
“The award of titles of honour and decorations is an annual national event where the President recognises and celebrates citizens and friends of Nigeria who have distinguished themselves in the service of the nation and humanity.”
She added that the reconstituted committee held several sessions to ensure the selection process was fair, transparent, and based on merit.
Among the recipients are:
Bill Gates, honoured for his contributions to public health and humanitarian work in Nigeria.
The Ogoni Nine, honoured posthumously for their environmental activism and sacrifice.
The Ogoni Four, recognised for their struggle for environmental justice.
Uncle Sam Amuka-Pemu, veteran journalist and publisher.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, former INEC Chairman, recognised for his service to Nigeria’s democracy.
The Super Falcons and D’Tigress basketball team, celebrated for their achievements in sports and international representation.
The Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) — the highest national honour — is typically reserved for Presidents such as Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Goodluck Jonathan.
The Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), the second-highest, is usually given to Vice Presidents, Senate Presidents, Speakers, Chief Justices, and prominent figures like Aliko Dangote and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Other honours include:
Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) – for top public servants and global contributors like Bill Gates.
Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) – for notable achievements in politics and business.
Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) – for professionals, entertainers, and athletes such as Mo Abudu and Taiwo Ajai-Lycett.
Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) – for young achievers and grassroots heroes like Burna Boy and Teniola Apata.
There are also special recognitions, such as the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) for academic excellence and the Federal Republic Medal (FRM) for military and police bravery.
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