President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the conferment of national honours on 959 Nigerians and friends of the country.
The decision was announced after the meeting of the Council of State held on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr. Emanso Umobong, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the Council of State meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Dr. Umobong explained that the report covered both the 2024/2025 national honours and special awards conferred by President Tinubu from January 2025 to date.
“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,” she said.
She recalled that the President had, in August 2021, 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.
According to her, the committee, which comprised eminent Nigerians, screened over 5,000 applications and recommended 824 persons for national honours and 135 for special presidential awards, bringing the total number of honourees to 959.
“The award of titles of honour and decorations is an annual national event at which the President recognises and celebrates deserving citizens and friends of Nigeria who have distinguished themselves in the service of the nation and humanity,” Dr. Umobong said.
She added that the reconstituted committee met several times to ensure a fair, transparent, and merit-based selection process.
“In the spirit of inclusive national recognition, President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours on several deserving Nigerians and friends of Nigeria this year,” she said.
Among those honoured are Bill Gates, for his contributions to public health and humanitarian work in Nigeria; the Ogoni Nine, honoured posthumously for their environmental activism and sacrifice; and the Ogoni Four, recognised for their role in the struggle for environmental justice.
Others include Uncle Sam Amuka-Pemu, veteran journalist and publisher; Professor Mahmood Yakubu, immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for his service to Nigeria’s democratic process; and the Super Falcons and D’Tigress basketball team, for their achievements in sports and international representation.
Dr. Umobong said the complete list of honourees would be published shortly.
“The committee has completed its work, and the Council has given its endorsement. The list of successful candidates will be made public soon,” she added.
What You Should Know
Nigeria has eight major national honours awards that recognise exceptional contributions across different levels of society, from top leaders to everyday heroes.
The highest honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR), 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 honour, is awarded to Vice Presidents, Senate Presidents, Speakers of the House of Representatives, Chief Justices, and influential figures such as Aliko Dangote and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) goes to distinguished public servants and business leaders like Bill Gates, while the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) recognises high-level political and corporate service.
Mid-tier honours, such as the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), celebrate professionals, academics, entertainers, and athletes like Mo Abudu and Taiwo Ajai-Lycett.
The Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) honour grassroots contributors and young achievers such as Burna Boy and Teniola Apata.
There are also special awards like the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) for academic excellence and the Federal Republic Medal (FRM) for acts of bravery by military and police officers.
