The Nigerian Presidency has issued a formal apology after mistakenly naming two prominent Nigerians — Pa Reuben Fasoranti, leader of the Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere, and Dr. Edwin Madunagu, a respected academic and author — among recipients of posthumous national honours during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Democracy Day address at the National Assembly on Thursday, June 13, 2025.
The mistake, which sparked swift criticism and widespread concern on social media, occurred as part of the president’s recognition of 66 individuals celebrated for their pivotal roles in the nation’s pro-democracy struggle.
While several awards were rightly conferred posthumously — including to Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Kudirat Abiola, and Prof. Humphrey Nwosu — the inclusion of Fasoranti and Madunagu in that same category quickly drew attention for all the wrong reasons: they are still alive.
In response to the public outcry, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued a statement late Thursday acknowledging the error and offering an official apology on behalf of the State House.
“During his Democracy Day address at the joint session of the National Assembly earlier today, President Bola Tinubu announced a list of pro-democracy activists and national figures to be honoured for their significant contributions to the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria,” the statement read.
“Under the Posthumous Award category, the names of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the Afenifere leader, and Dr. Edwin Madunagu were incorrectly included. Both distinguished individuals are very much alive and, therefore, should not have appeared in the posthumous category.”
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Onanuga described the mistake as a “regrettable oversight” and assured the public that corrections would be made immediately across all State House digital and official platforms.
The error triggered a storm of reactions on social media, where many Nigerians expressed confusion, frustration, and even alarm, particularly regarding the health and status of the two mistakenly named individuals.
Some users were quick to question the vetting process behind the prestigious national recognition, while others highlighted the emotional toll such misinformation could have on families and supporters.
“How do you give someone a posthumous award while they are still alive? This is more than a typo — it’s deeply careless,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“Imagine waking up and seeing your name on a list of the dead. This isn’t a small mistake,” another wrote.
Family sources close to both Fasoranti and Madunagu confirmed that the men are well and in good health. While neither has issued a personal public statement at the time of this report, supporters of both figures described the gaffe as “disturbing” but “thankfully harmless.”
The incident has prompted fresh calls for greater diligence and accuracy in national communications, particularly around sensitive ceremonial events such as Democracy Day.
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Analysts note that mistakes like this not only embarrass the presidency but also undermine public trust in official processes and the prestige of national honours.
“National awards should be carefully researched and vetted,” said one public affairs commentator. “Names, especially in categories like posthumous awards, should go through layers of confirmation. This kind of error is not just procedural — it’s symbolic.”
President Tinubu’s Democracy Day address was largely aimed at celebrating the legacy of Nigeria’s long and often difficult road to civilian governance, spotlighting individuals who fought against military rule and laid the groundwork for democratic institutions.
Among those rightly honoured posthumously were iconic figures such as:
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua – former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters and democracy advocate.
Kudirat Abiola – assassinated wife of presumed June 12 winner, MKO Abiola.
Prof. Humphrey Nwosu – chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON) during the pivotal 1993 election.
As Nigeria continues to reflect on the heroes of its democratic journey, the hope remains that such mistakes — while human — will be treated with the seriousness they deserve and prevented in the future.
“National memory deserves to be treated with precision and reverence,” said one political historian. “That includes knowing who is alive to receive their flowers.”