Policy Update

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted clemency to 175 Nigerians and issued posthumous pardons to prominent historical figures, including Herbert Macaulay, Major General Mamman Vatsa, and members of the Ogoni Nine, who were executed in 1995 under military rule.

Announcement Details

This decision was announced following a Council of State meeting in Abuja, based on recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy. The initiative aims to reflect the administration’s commitment to justice, compassion, and national healing.

Clemency Specifics

• Pardons were granted to inmates serving long sentences for non-violent offenses, as part of efforts to decongest prisons and promote rehabilitation.
• Additionally, 959 Nigerians and foreigners were honored for their contributions to various fields such as education, science, and public service.

This gesture is seen as a symbolic step towards reconciliation and restoration of human rights, marking a departure from Nigeria’s authoritarian past.