PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the conferment of national honours on 959 distinguished Nigerians and friends of Nigeria, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to national development, democracy, and humanity.
News Point Nigeria reports that the announcement followed a meeting of the Council of State held on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, presided over by the President.
Addressing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr. Emanso Umobong, explained that the honours list was carefully curated after a rigorous screening exercise by the National Honours Committee, reconstituted in August 2021 under the chairmanship of Justice Sidi Bage, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court.
According to Umobong, the committee received and reviewed over 5,000 applications and nominations from across the country and the diaspora.
After months of deliberation and verification, the panel recommended 824 recipients for the 2024/2025 National Honours Awards and an additional 135 individuals for Special Presidential Awards, bringing the total to 959 honourees.
“This year’s list reflects the diversity, resilience, and excellence of Nigeria and its people,” Dr. Umobong stated. “The administration of President Tinubu remains committed to honouring citizens and friends of Nigeria whose efforts have strengthened our national fabric.”
The 2024/2025 award list features a blend of public servants, business icons, academics, innovators, humanitarian workers, artists, athletes, and international partners.
Among those honoured are:
Bill Gates, for his outstanding contributions to global public health and support for Nigeria’s healthcare initiatives, particularly in polio eradication and immunisation.
Uncle Sam Amuka-Pemu, veteran journalist and founder of Vanguard Newspapers, recognised for his excellence, integrity, and lifelong service to Nigerian journalism.
The Super Falcons and D’Tigress, Nigeria’s women’s national football and basketball teams, for their inspiring performances on the continental and global stage, which continue to project Nigeria’s image positively.
The Ogoni Nine and Ogoni Four, honoured posthumously for their courage, environmental activism, and defence of human rights in the Niger Delta.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for his commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process and electoral integrity.
Dr. Umobong further noted that the Tinubu administration has, over the past year, honoured numerous citizens and foreign friends of Nigeria across various sectors including health, education, agriculture, security, and sports reflecting what he described as the President’s “vision of inclusive national recognition and reward for excellence.”
He added that the honours serve not only as commendation but also as motivation for service, patriotism, and innovation, which are central to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“President Tinubu believes that every act of excellence, every contribution to national progress, no matter how small deserves acknowledgment. These awards are a call to all Nigerians to continue to build and uplift our great nation,” Umobong said.
The National Honours Awards, instituted in 1963, remain Nigeria’s highest form of civic recognition, bestowed on citizens and foreigners who have rendered exemplary service and outstanding contributions to the nation’s growth and global reputation.
The latest conferment will take place at a formal ceremony to be hosted later this year at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, where recipients will be decorated with various orders and medals, including:
Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR)
Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)
Member of the Order of the Niger (MON)
Federal Republic Medal (FRM), among others.