President Bola Tinubu has approved the conferment of 959 national honours, marking a significant moment in Nigeria’s tradition of recognizing excellence and service. The announcement followed back-to-back meetings of the National Council of State and the Nigeria Police Council, held at the State House in Abuja.
Dr. Emanso Umobong, Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, disclosed that the President endorsed the recommendations of the National Honours Award Committee for the 2024 and 2025 cycles. The committee also validated special awards conferred by the President between January 2025 and the present.
The committee, chaired by Justice Sidi Bage and reconstituted in August 2021, reviewed over 5,000 nominations before selecting 824 individuals for the regular honours and 135 for special recognition. These honourees include both Nigerians and foreign nationals who have made outstanding contributions to national development and global goodwill.
Among the recipients are notable figures such as philanthropist Bill Gates, recognized for his contributions to public health; journalist Uncle Sam Pemu; and Nigeria’s national women’s football teams, the Super Falcons and D’Tigress, celebrated for their achievements in sports. Posthumous honours were also awarded to the Ogoni Nine and Ogoni Four for their environmental activism, and Professor Mahmood Yakubu, outgoing INEC Chairman, was acknowledged for his role in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Umobong emphasized that the honours reflect the administration’s commitment to inclusive national recognition. She confirmed that the full list of awardees would be published shortly, offering transparency and public access to the names of those celebrated.
In a related development, President Tinubu presided over the Nigeria Police Council meeting, where sweeping reforms to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) were approved. These reforms aim to enhance the financial sustainability and operational efficiency of the police force.
Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Geidam, in his first media briefing since assuming office in August 2023, announced the Council’s decision to repeal and re-enact the 2019 Police Trust Fund Establishment Act. The move eliminates the six-year sunset clause, transitioning the fund into a permanent agency capable of long-term strategic planning.
Geidam also revealed that the Council approved an increase in the NPTF’s allocation from 0.5 percent to 1 percent of the Federation Account. This adjustment is expected to significantly boost funding for police training, welfare, equipment, and logistics.
The Council further directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to consolidate all approved reforms into an executive bill for submission to the National Assembly. Geidam confirmed that all proposals were adopted without amendment, signaling unified support for the transformation of Nigeria’s policing framework.
