President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly conferred national honours on a record 1,062 individuals within less than three years in office, making his administration the most active in the history of Nigeria’s honours system. According to findings published by Punch Newspapers, the honours were awarded to Nigerians and foreign nationals, including both living recipients and posthumous awardees, across different sectors such as politics, security, entertainment, activism, diplomacy, and public service.
The report revealed that the number of honours awarded under Tinubu already surpasses the total conferments made during the eight-year administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari and is more than three times the number awarded during the major investiture held by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014. Much of the recent honours were reportedly approved during a National Council of State meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja in October 2025, where hundreds of nominations were reviewed and ratified.
Several notable personalities have received honours under Tinubu’s administration. Democracy icons such as Wole Soyinka, Kudirat Abiola, Ken Saro-Wiwa and Femi Falana were among those honoured during the 2025 Democracy Day celebrations. Fallen military officers, members of the armed forces, and national sports teams such as the Super Eagles were also recognised for their service and achievements. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The administration also extended honours beyond Nigeria’s borders. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates were among foreign personalities decorated by the Nigerian government for their contributions and partnerships with the country.
However, some of the honours have sparked public debate and controversy, particularly the quiet conferment of the prestigious GCON title on Lebanese-Nigerian businessman Gilbert Chagoury earlier this year. Critics questioned the transparency surrounding the award, although presidential aides defended the decision by citing his contributions to Nigeria’s economy and hospitality sector.
Nigeria’s national honours system, established in 1964, remains one of the country’s highest forms of recognition for exceptional service and contributions to national development. With over 6,400 people reportedly honoured since inception, Tinubu’s administration now stands out for the scale and frequency of its conferments, a development that continues to generate conversations across political and public circles.
