President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio, Saraki, 11 governors and many others are listed to premier the 4th Republic ICONS
OrderPaper Nigeria has unveiled the ICONS (Initiative for Celebrating Outstanding National Statespersons) of the Fourth Republic, a first-of-its-kind legacy initiative designed to honour outstanding Nigerian leaders whose careers have spanned both the legislative and executive arms of government.
A press statement issued today said the programme is designed to mark 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance in Nigeria. The ICONS programme is a “prestigious and data-driven effort to celebrate the exceptional service and impact of individuals who have shaped the country’s democratic journey through roles in both legislative chambers and executive offices,” the statement signed by Uko Etuk, Programmes Manager of OrderPaper said.
At the heart of the initiative is the Book of Records, a definitive documentation profiling confirmed ICONS, tracing their political trajectories, legislative contributions, and executive milestones. Accompanying this is a historic digital archive that chronicles 26 years of transitions between the legislative and executive arms—an enduring record of Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
The publication and digital archive will be formally launched at a high-profile award and gala night scheduled for August 2025.
Notable names as nominees are unveiled
The premier edition of the Book of Records features an extensive list of serving and former public officials who exemplify the dual-legislative-executive career path. Topping the list is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who previously served as a senator and governor before assuming the presidency. Also listed are Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, a former senator.
Eleven governors make the list
Eleven incumbent state governors make the initial list of nominees. These are: Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Mohammed Bago (Niger), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), and Monday Okpebholo (Edo).
The ICONS project also features former governors and federal legislators such as ex Senate President Bukola Saraki, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Ifeanyi Okowa, Ibikunle Amosun, Chibuike Amaechi, Anyim Pius Anyim, Rochas Okorocha, Liyel Imoke, and Emeka Ihedioha, whose career arcs represent the transition from legislature to executive and vice versa.
The list also features 21 current senators with significant executive or legislative experience, 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.
Tinubu’s cabinet members also listed
An unprecedented 22 members of the Tinubu administration’s cabinet have been listed as possible ICONS, reflecting the administration’s significant composition of former legislators. 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, Minister of Works – Sen. David Umahi, 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, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) – Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, 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 Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, Sen. Benedict Ayade, Rt. 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.
The Connection from FLEX to ICONS
The statement by OrderPaper explained that the ICONS initiative stems from its 2024 FLEX (Facility for Legislative-Executive Exchange) report, which documented the phenomenon of political transitions between legislative and executive roles.
The report identified 22 former lawmakers, now cabinet members within President Tinubu’s administration, making it the most FLEX-heavy in Nigeria’s history.
One emblematic case is Sen. Godswill Akpabio, who transitioned from commissioner to governor, senator, minister, and now Senate President. Similarly, Sen. Aminu Tambuwal moved from Speaker of the House to governor and back to the Senate. Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu and Sen. Bukola Saraki have each held roles spanning executive governance and legislative leadership.
National Chronicle of Service and Excellence
According to Oke Epia, CEO of OrderPaper Nigeria and convener of the ICONS programme, the initiative is not just about recognition but preservation of democratic legacy.
“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 stated.
Epia noted that the nomination process was rooted in non-partisan, evidence-based vetting, leveraging OrderPaper’s ten-year expertise in legislative research and public policy.
“ICONS of the Fourth Republic is more than a celebration—it is a national chronicle of excellence, service, and leadership,” he stressed.
A Record for the Ages
The ICONS of the Fourth Republic is poised to become a national chronicle of excellence, offering Nigeria its first structured and data-backed documentation of individuals who have significantly contributed to both legislative governance and executive policymaking.
It fills a critical gap in national record-keeping, especially for a democracy where institutional memory is often fragmented or politicised.
As anticipation builds for the August gala, stakeholders in governance, politics, civil society, and academia will be watching to see how this initiative reshapes the conversation around political legacy, continuity, and service.
About OrderPaper Nigeria
OrderPaper is Nigeria’s foremost independent legislative think tank, recognised for promoting legislative accountability, civic engagement, and policy transparency. The organisation has been described by the National Assembly as “one of Africa’s foremost independent parliamentary monitoring organisations,” with a “strengthened commitment to advancing legislative accountability, civic engagement, and good governance through data-driven insights, policy analysis, and comprehensive coverage of legislative activities.”
