President Bola Tinubu has conferred Nigeria’s second-highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), on Lebanese Nigerian billionaire businessman Gilbert Chagoury, a move that has drawn public attention due to Chagoury’s controversial past.
Although the honour was approved on January 8, it was not formally announced by the Presidency.
The award only became public on Monday after billionaire investor Femi Otedola shared a copy on X (formerly Twitter).
Otedola congratulated Chagoury, describing the honour as a well-deserved feat, citing his visionary and impactful leadership and landmark jobs across the country.
Sources in the Presidency confirmed that the document was authentic, adding that the government may not issue an official statement.
Chagoury, a close ally of President Tinubu, was previously accused of assisting late military ruler Sani Abacha to loot Nigeria’s treasury during the 1993–1998 military regime—allegations that have continued to trail his public image.
Despite this, he has remained a prominent business figure and played key roles in major Lagos infrastructure projects, including Eko Atlantic City and developments on Banana Island.
In his post, Otedola praised Chagoury’s contributions to Lagos’ growth.
“Congratulations to my role model, dear friend and mentor, Ambassador Gilbert Chagoury, on the well-deserved GCON honour,” he wrote, describing Chagoury’s work as “landmarks, jobs, and lasting impact” that have inspired generations of Nigerians.
