President Bola Tinubu has approved national honours for 959 individuals, including Nigerians and foreign nationals, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the country’s development and humanity.
The decision was confirmed during the joint meeting of the National Council of State and the Police Council held at the State House, Abuja.
According to Dr. Emanso Umobong, Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, the President endorsed the report of the National Honours Award Committee for 2024 and 2025, as well as special awards conferred earlier in the year.
Out of over 5,000 nominations reviewed, 824 individuals were selected for the 2024/2025 National Honours, while 135 others received special presidential awards, bringing the total number of recipients to 959.
Umobong explained that the annual awards celebrate both citizens and non-citizens who have made notable impacts on national growth, public service, and humanitarian causes.
Prominent figures honoured in the past year include philanthropist Bill Gates for his contributions to public health, veteran journalist Uncle Sam Pemu, the Super Falcons and D’Tigress for their achievements in sports, and INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu for his service to democracy. The government also posthumously honoured the late Ogoni Nine and Ogoni Four for their environmental activism.
Meanwhile, after the Council of State meeting, President Tinubu chaired a session of the Police Council, where key reforms to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) were approved.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Geidam, announced that the Council approved the repeal and re-enactment of the 2019 Police Trust Fund Act, removing its six-year lifespan and establishing it as a permanent agency.
He added that the fund’s allocation from the Federation Account was increased from 0.5% to 1% to enhance police training, welfare, and technology acquisition. The Attorney-General of the Federation has been directed to prepare an executive bill incorporating these reforms for submission to the National Assembly.