President Bola Tinubu has granted clemency to 175 inmates and conferred national honours on 959 Nigerians and friends of the country.
At the conclusion of the national council of state meeting on Thursday, Kaduna Governor Uba Sani told State House correspondents in Abuja that the council had unanimously approved Tinubu’s proposal to offer several forms of mercy, such as reduced sentences, commutations, and full pardons.
“Of the total recommended for presidential clemency, there were about 82 pardons, 65 persons recommended for reduced sentences, and seven whose sentences were commuted from death to life imprisonment,” Sani said.
He confirmed that the late environmental activists known as the Ogoni Nine were among those posthumously pardoned, describing the gesture as “symbolic and restorative”.
“The Ogoni Nine, though deceased, were among those granted a presidential pardon under this prerogative of mercy,” the governor said.
Additionally, the procedure was extended to the 2024–2025 national honours selection, according to Emanso Umobong, permanent secretary in the cabinet affairs office.
According to Umobong, after reviewing more than 5,000 applications, a committee that was reorganised and led by Sidi Bage Mohammed recommended 824 winners for national honours and 135 for special prizes.
“In the spirit of inclusive national recognition, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred honours on several deserving Nigerians and friends of Nigeria, including Bill Gates for his contributions to public health and humanitarian efforts in Nigeria,” she said.
In addition to commemorating 26 years of unbroken democracy, the awards honoured leaders of Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement.
The Ogoni Nine and Ogoni Four received posthumous accolades for their activism and sacrifice, as well as veteran journalist and publisher Sam Amuka Pemu.
In addition, Mahmood Yakubu, the immediate past head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), received special distinction for “his service to Nigeria’s democratic process” and for his accomplishments in international sports with the Super Falcons and D’Tigress.
“The award of titles and decorations is a yearly tradition where the President honours nationals and non-nationals who have distinguished themselves in service to the nation and humanity,” Umobong said.
She said that Nigerians will soon be able to access the complete list of honourees and those who received presidential compassion.
Sani added that Aminu Yusuf of Niger State was appointed as the new chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) by the council.
The selection of Tonga Bularafa as the federal commissioner representing Yobe state at the commission was also approved by the council, he said.
“In attendance were former presidents and heads of state, Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as governors and other members of the council,” he said.
