President Bola Tinubu has conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on his longtime associate, Gilbert Chagoury, citing his contributions to Nigeria’s development. In a letter sighted by Daily Trust, the president said the national honour, Nigeria’s second highest, was awarded in recognition of Chagoury’s services to the country. “In exercise of the powers vested in me under section 1(4) of the National Honours Act, 1, BOLA AHMED TINUBU, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in recognition of your outstanding virtues and in appreciation of your services to our country, Nigeria, HEREBY award to you to have, and enjoy title, dignity and all the privileges of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) GIVEN at Abuja under my Hand and the Public Seal of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the letter stated.
Reacting to the honour, billionaire businessman Femi Otedola described it as well deserved, praising Chagoury’s legacy in business and national development. “Your life is a masterclass in vision, discipline, and steady excellence,” Otedola wrote, highlighting Chagoury’s role in landmark projects such as Banana Island and Eko Atlantic City. “From Banana Island to Eko Atlantic City, your work speaks in landmarks, jobs, and lasting impact, and your leadership has inspired generations of Nigerians to think bigger and act bolder,” he added, concluding, “This honour is truly well deserved. I celebrate you today and always.” Chagoury, a Lebanese-Nigerian businessman, co-founded the Chagoury Group in 1971, an industrial conglomerate with interests spanning construction, real estate, manufacturing, and telecommunications, though his ties with the president have previously drawn scrutiny following the award of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project to one of his firms.