In a historic move aimed at national healing and reconciliation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted a full posthumous presidential pardon to the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other members of the famed Ogoni Nine. The announcement was made on Thursday during an address to a joint session of the National Assembly as part of Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebrations.
Exercising his constitutional powers under the Prerogative of Mercy, President Tinubu described the nine men as “national heroes” whose legacy continues to inspire advocacy for environmental justice and human rights in Nigeria and beyond.
Alongside the presidential pardon, Tinubu also conferred national honours on the men. Ken Saro-Wiwa was posthumously awarded the title of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), while his eight compatriots were each bestowed with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
The eight other honourees are:
Saturday Dobee
Nordu Eawo
Daniel Gbooko
Paul Levera
Felix Nuate
Baribor Bera
Barinem Kiobel
John Kpuine
“Furthermore, I also confer posthumous national honours on Ken Saro-Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine, and his fellow travellers,” Tinubu announced. “I shall be exercising my powers under the Prerogative of Mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State.”
The Ogoni Nine, including Saro-Wiwa, were executed in November 1995 by the military regime of General Sani Abacha after being controversially accused of involvement in the murder of four Ogoni leaders. Their deaths triggered international condemnation, economic sanctions against Nigeria, and a lasting outcry from human rights and environmental justice advocates worldwide.
Thursday’s pardon marks a significant symbolic gesture, coming nearly 30 years after their execution and amid ongoing conversations about justice, environmental protection in the Niger Delta, and the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s democratic history.
President Tinubu noted that more individuals would be considered for similar presidential pardons following consultations with the National Council of State.
