President Bola Tinubu has bestowed the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Nigeria’s second-highest national honour, upon Gilbert Chagoury, a Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire and longtime business associate. While the award was officially dated January 8, the presidency did not immediately make a public announcement. The development only came to light on Monday after fellow billionaire Femi Otedola shared a copy of the award certificate on social media.
Sources within the presidency subsequently confirmed the authenticity of the document to reporters. However, these sources indicated that the administration might not issue a formal statement regarding the decision. The discreet nature of the conferment highlights the complex public profile of the recipient.
Chagoury is a figure of significant influence and controversy in Nigerian history. During the military regime of Sani Abacha from 1993 to 1998, he was accused of facilitating the looting of the national treasury. Despite this contentious past, Chagoury has remained a central player in Nigeria’s economic landscape and eventually became a close ally of President Tinubu. His construction firm, Hitech, has been instrumental in executing major infrastructural projects in Lagos, most notably the ambitious Eko Atlantic City. This reclaimed coastal city is slated to house significant international structures, including the largest United States embassy building in Africa.
The news of the award was celebrated by Femi Otedola, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate Chagoury. In his post, Otedola described the Lebanese-Nigerian businessman as a “role model, dear friend, and mentor.” He praised Chagoury’s impact on the nation’s development, citing his work on high-profile real estate projects. “From Banana Island to Eko Atlantic City, your work speaks in landmarks, jobs, and lasting impact,” Otedola wrote, adding that Chagoury’s leadership has inspired generations to “think bigger and act bolder.”
The GCON is one of the most prestigious awards in the Nigerian national honours system, traditionally reserved for Vice Presidents, Senate Presidents, and Chief Justices, though it has occasionally been awarded to distinguished private citizens.
