Abuja, June 12, 2026 — President Bola Tinubu has announced the revitalisation and renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna in honour of the late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, while also conferring national honours on dozens of pro-democracy activists and military officers who played significant roles in Nigeria’s June 12 democratic struggle.
The President made the announcement on Friday during his Democracy Day nationwide broadcast, describing Yar’Adua as one of the leading figures whose vision contributed to the development of modern democratic Nigeria.
“Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership,” Tinubu said.
He added: “In recognition of his contributions, the Federal Government has approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.”
Tinubu also used the occasion to recognise several Nigerians who endured persecution, detention, exile and other hardships during the struggle to restore democratic governance in the country.
Those named for national honours include Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Debo Adeniran and Ayo Opadokun.
Others are Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Osa Director, Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Arthur Nwankwo (posthumous), Osagie Obayuwana, Joe Okei-Odumakin, Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Richard Akinnola and Ben Charles-Obi (posthumous).
Also honoured were George Mbah, Niran Malaolu, retired Gen. Ishola Williams, Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Ike Okonta.
The President further recognised a group of military officers he described as “soldier-democrats” for their support of the June 12 movement and the campaign for democratic rule.
Among them are Maj.-Gen. M.A. Garba, Brig.-Gen. Jaafaru Isa, Col. Farouk Ahmed, Col. Sambo Dasuki, Col. Lawan Gwadabe, Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Temlong, Col. Musa Shehu, Maj.-Gen. Chris Eze and Maj.-Gen. Harris Dzarma.
Others include Col. Isa Jibrin, Maj.-Gen. Joseph Oshanupin, Col. Olusegun Oloruntoba, Lt.-Col. Kefas Bulus, Col. J. Okai, Col. Emmanuel Ndubueze, Lt.-Col. Yakubu Muazu and Brig.-Gen. Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe.
Tinubu said the complete list of recipients and categories of national honours would be made public in the coming days.
The announcement formed part of activities marking Democracy Day, commemorating the June 12, 1993 presidential election widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll.
