Tinubu national honours reform includes 959 awards and Police Trust Fund overhaul to boost long-term police reform and sustainable security funding.
Tinubu national honours reform efforts took centre stage on Thursday as the President approved the conferment of 959 awards and major structural changes to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund.
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Speaking to reporters after a marathon of high-level meetings at the State House, the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr Emanso Umobong, announced the ratification of the 2024/2025 National Honours Award Committee report.
She explained that 824 nominees were selected through a rigorous process from over 5,000 applications, while 135 individuals had already received special recognition from the President in the past year — including Bill Gates, journalism veteran Uncle Sam Pemu, and Nigeria’s national women’s football and basketball teams.
Posthumous honours were also conferred on the Ogoni Nine and Ogoni Four for their historic environmental advocacy, while Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the outgoing INEC Chairman, was awarded for his role in Nigeria’s electoral evolution.
“The awards highlight national and global contributions to humanity and recognise figures who have elevated Nigeria’s image and values,” Umobong said.
Following the Council of State meeting, President Tinubu chaired the Nigeria Police Council, where sweeping reforms were endorsed for the Police Trust Fund — a bold move to strengthen police funding and planning.
Tinubu national honours reform now includes a pivotal decision to repeal and re-enact the Police Trust Fund Establishment Act of 2019, removing its six-year expiration clause to transform the Fund into a permanent agency.
Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Geidam, who briefed the press for the first time since his appointment, said the Council also approved an increase in the Fund’s allocation from 0.5% to 1% of the Federation Account.
“The sunset clause has long hindered our ability to plan and implement lasting police reform,” Geidam said.
“This transition ensures that the Nigeria Police Trust Fund becomes a stable, long-term vehicle for improving training, welfare, and infrastructure.”
An executive bill reflecting the approved reforms will now be drafted by the Attorney-General and submitted to the National Assembly.
Established in 2019 to plug funding gaps, the Trust Fund has struggled under limited tenure and budget. The changes, officials say, will unlock more strategic investment in law enforcement and national security.
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The full list of honourees is expected to be published shortly, reflecting the President’s promise of inclusive recognition and institutional progress.
