President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours on at least 1,062 Nigerians and foreign nationals in less than three years in office, setting a new record in the country’s recent democratic history.
According to a report by The Punch, the number of recipients already exceeds the total honours awarded during the eight-year administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The report stated that the largest batch of honours was approved on October 9, 2025, after the National Council of State endorsed recommendations from the National Honours Award Committee. Out of over 5,000 nominations screened, 959 individuals were selected for awards covering the 2024 and 2025 cycles.
Beyond the official lists, Tinubu has also issued several special honours during national events and military commemorations.
In February 2024, members of the Nigerian Super Eagles squad received Member of the Order of the Niger awards after finishing runners-up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The President also approved houses and land allocations for the team in Abuja.
Several slain military officers were posthumously honoured following attacks in Delta and the North-East, including late Chief of Army Staff Taoreed Lagbaja and Brigadier General Musa Uba.
On Democracy Day 2025, Tinubu announced honours for more than 80 pro-democracy figures and activists, including Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, the late Kudirat Abiola, and environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa alongside other members of the Ogoni Nine.
Tinubu also extended honours to foreign figures, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bill Gates for contributions to Nigeria’s development.
One of the most controversial awards was the conferment of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger on businessman Gilbert Chagoury in January 2026. The Presidency later confirmed the award, citing his economic contributions to Nigeria.
Under Buhari, the only major investiture ceremony took place in October 2022 with 447 recipients, while former President Goodluck Jonathan honoured 304 people during the 2014 investiture.
