President Bola Tinubu has conferred a national honour on Barrister Osa Director, the National Publicity Secretary of the opposition Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), as part of the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations.
The recognition comes despite the President belonging to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a nationwide broadcast marking 27 years of unbroken civilian rule, President Tinubu announced national awards for 51 Nigerians who fought against military dictatorship during the historic June 12 struggle.
Director, a lawyer, investigative journalist, and pro-democracy activist, rose to prominence in the 1990s as a senior journalist for TELL Magazine.
He was targeted and incarcerated by the Sani Abacha military regime for his critical reporting and opposition to military rule. He later managed Insider Weekly magazine as Editor-in-Chief and served as the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the African Bar Association.
The President honored Director alongside other pro-democracy activists, media veterans, and retired military officers who opposed military junta regimes.
The honours list includes APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe, National Democratic Coalition chieftains Chief Ayo Opadokun and Chief Ralph Obioha, and retired military officers such as Colonel Sambo Dasuki and the Etsu Nupe, Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar.
During his address, President Tinubu paid tribute to the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, noting that those recognized suffered persecution, exile, and incarceration to secure the democracy Nigeria enjoys today.
According to Tinubu, the official honors list details will be released in the coming days.
