As Nigeria marks 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, OrderPaper Nigeria has announced commencement of the ICONS (Initiative for Celebrating Outstanding National Statespersons) of the Fourth Republic programme.
ICONS is a prestigious, legacy-driven programme created to celebrate exceptional individuals whose service in both the legislature and executive arms of government has significantly shaped the country’s governance landscape and democratic trajectory.
It entails the publication of the Book of Records, a premier legacy publication profiling confirmed ICONS with data-driven documentation of their journeys, legislative contributions, and executive footprints; and a historic digital archive capturing 25 years of impactful governance transitions and democratic service across both arms of government.
The book of records and digital archive will be presented at an exclusive award and gala night scheduled for August 2025 to celebrate the inductees and their legacies.
Dozens of politicians, both current and former officials, have been pre-selected as nominees for the premier edition of the Book of Records, which is billed to be unveiled at a high-profile event in August.
Top on the list is President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and First Lady Remi Tinubu. Eleven governors also make the list: They are Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Bassey Otu of Cross River State, Mohammed Bago of Niger State, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, and Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.
Twenty-one incumbent senators have also been listed, including Orji Kalu, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Yahaya Abdullahi, Simon Lalong, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Seriake Dickson, Aliyu Wamakko, Mohammed Goje, Adamu Aliero, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abdulaziz Yari, Gbenga Daniel, Haruna Manu, Idiat Adebule, Ikra Bilbis, Abdulhamid Madori, Abubakar Bello, Abba Moro, and Ipalibo Harry. Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. (Prof.) Julius Ihonvbere joins the list from the 10th National Assembly.
Twenty-two members of the Tinubu cabinet will be vying for slots in the book of records, the first of its kind in the history of Nigeria.
They are led by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. Ministers who make the list are: Minister of State for Labour & Employment – Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of Interior – Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and Minister of Works – Sen. David Umahi.
Others are Minister of Foreign Affairs – Hon. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister for Regional Development – Hon. Abubakar Momoh, Minister of State for Agriculture & Food Security – Sen. (Dr.) Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) – Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Defence – Bello Matawalle, Minister of Police Affairs – Ibrahim Gaidam, Minister of Agriculture & Food Security – Sen. Abubakar Kyari and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) – Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri.
Still others include: Minister of State for Trade and Investment – Sen. John Owan Enoh, Minister of Transportation – Sen. Saidu Alkali, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning – Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of State for Labour & Employment – Hon. Bitrus Jalo, Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation – Hon. Bello Goronyo, and Minister of State for Education – Hon. Yusuf Sununu,
Some heads of parastatals and board chairs of statutory agencies also make the list. They include Sen. Ajibola Bashiru, Sen. (Dr.) Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, Hon. Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, Sen. Adedayo Adeyeye, Sen. Magnus Abe, Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Hon. Samuel Onuigbo, Hon. (Dr.) Samson Raphael Osagie, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Sen. Ken Nnamani, Hon. Philip Shaibu, and Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara.
Former senior public officials on the list include Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, Sen. Benedict Ayade, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Sen. Gabriel Suswam, Sen. Liyel Imoke, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, Hon. Victor Onyekachi Ochei, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, Sen. Bukola Saraki, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, Sen. Ibrahim Hadeija, Hon. Nwawuba, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Bio, Sen. Udo Udoma, Rt. Hon. Aminu Masari, Sen. Rochas Anayo Okorocha, and ex-Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Over the past two and a half decades, Nigeria has witnessed a unique phenomenon: the transition of hundreds of political leaders between the national and state legislatures to executive offices as governors, ministers, and heads of statutory agencies.
Likewise, many others have moved from the executive into legislative roles. This cross-sectoral experience between the legislative and executive arms gives rise to a distinct category of political actors whose influence on Nigeria’s democratic trajectory deserves proper curation and documentation but has yet to be holistically curated, recognised, or preserved.
This milestone initiative is a spin-off from a 2024 report by OrderPaper, which focused on political transitions from the legislature to the executive (FLEX), which the policy think tank now styles as the Facility for Legislative Executive Exchange (FLEX).
The report outlined, among other things, the character and composition of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. It has 22 cabinet members who are former legislators, including the president and vice president, both of whom served in the senate.
President Tinubu holds the record of transitioning the highest number of politicians from the legislature to the executive in a single administration.
Some of the ICONS featured in this programme reflect the depth and evolution of the FLEX phenomenon. For instance, Sen. Godswill Akpabio moved from serving as commissioner in Akwa Ibom State (2002–2006) to governor of Akwa Ibom State (2007–2015), then senator representing Akwa Ibom North-west and minority leader (2015–2018), minister of Niger Delta Affairs (2019–2022), and currently serves as President of the Senate.
Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is a former governor of Kano State, a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, and a former minister. Sen. Aminu Tambuwal is a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, a two-term governor of Sokoto state, and now a serving senator. Similarly, Hope Uzodinma transitioned from senator representing Imo-west to governor of Imo State.
Others include Sen. Orji Kalu, former governor of Abia state who now represents Abia north in the senate and served as Senate Majority Whip; and Bukola Saraki, who moved from being Special Assistant to the President on Budget (2000–2003) to governor of Kwara State (2003–2011), senator for Kwara Central (2011–2019), and President of the 8th Senate (2015–2019), amongst others.
Speaking on the initiative, Oke Epia, Chief Executive Officer of OrderPaper Nigeria and Convener of the ICONS programme, said: “The ICONS of the Fourth Republic honours the best of the best—leaders whose work has deepened our democratic experience and strengthened national development. These are individuals whose service must not only be celebrated but preserved for future generations.”
He explained that each nominee has been pre-selected through a rigorous, non-partisan, evidence-based vetting process, rooted in OrderPaper’s decade-long commitment to legislative accountability and civic engagement.
“ICONS of the Fourth Republic is more than a celebration—it is a national chronicle of excellence, service, and leadership,” he stressed.
Follow us on:
