President Bola Tinubu has named 51 Nigerians for national honours — including journalists, pro-democracy activists, and retired military officers who stood against military rule during the June 12 struggle.

The awards came in his Democracy Day broadcast on Friday, marking 27 years of unbroken civilian rule. Tinubu said while Nigeria's democracy isn't perfect, it remains the best path for development.

Among those honoured are NADECO chieftains Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obioha, and the late Dr. Arthur Nwankwo. Media veterans Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Sir Ademola Osinubi, and Dele Alake also made the list, alongside activists Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Richard Akinnola, and Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine.

The President also recognised "soldier-democrats" who opposed military juntas: retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, retired Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, retired Major-General Ishola Williams, and the Etsu Nupe, retired Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar.

In an institutional honour, the President approved renaming the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.

Tinubu didn't ignore the country's security problems. He addressed recent student abductions in Oyo and Borno states, saying "democracy without security is a mirage."

He revealed that the 2026 budget commits a record N5.41 trillion to defence, alongside recruiting over 50,000 police officers.

"To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender won't remain open forever," Tinubu warned.

He noted that terror-related deaths have dropped by 81% since 2015, and over 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the past year.

On the economy, Tinubu defended his administration's reforms, saying they were necessary to save public finances. He promised that the next phase would ensure "democracy is felt in the pocket" of everyday citizens by tackling inflation and boosting local production.

To solve the chronic electricity crisis, the President announced that the Presidential Power Sector Task Force has been authorised to raise a N4 trillion bond to clear legacy debts drowning the power value chain. He said the Electricity Act, which decentralises power generation to states, is already showing results.

Tinubu also pushed for full financial autonomy for the 774 local government areas. He blamed the rise in rural insecurity on the collapse of local governance.

"The generation of our founding fathers secured independence — the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity."

He urged the political class and institutions to protect democratic guardrails ahead of the upcoming Ekiti and Osun governorship elections. He called on INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure the polls are peaceful and credible.

Tinubu addressed the National Assembly, Judiciary, the Press, and Civil Society as "the guardrails of our republic," telling them: "Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria."

He also spoke directly to young Nigerians: "Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship."