National News
BREAKING: Tinubu honours longtime associate Gilbert Chagoury with GCON
The GCON is Nigeria’s second-highest national honour, conferred for Chagoury’s contributions to the country.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Nigeria’s second-highest national honour, on his longtime associate and industrialist, Gilbert Chagoury.
In a letter sighted by Daily Trust, the President said the honour was bestowed in recognition of Chagoury’s contributions to Nigeria’s development.
“In exercise of the powers vested in me under Section 1(4) of the National Honours Act, I, 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 the title, dignity and privileges of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON),” the letter read.
Reacting to the honour, billionaire businessman Femi Otedola described the award as well deserved, praising Chagoury’s long-standing impact on business and national development.
“Your life is a masterclass in vision, discipline and steady excellence,” Otedola wrote, highlighting Chagoury’s role in landmark real estate and infrastructure projects across the country.
He noted that developments such as Banana Island and Eko Atlantic City have generated employment and reshaped Nigeria’s urban landscape.
“From Banana Island to Eko Atlantic City, your work speaks in landmarks, jobs and lasting impact. Your leadership has inspired generations of Nigerians to think bigger and act bolder,” Otedola added.
Chagoury, a Lebanese-Nigerian businessman born in Lagos to immigrant parents, co-founded the Chagoury Group in 1971 alongside his younger brother, Ronald Chagoury. The conglomerate has since grown into a major industrial force with interests spanning construction, real estate, manufacturing, telecommunications, hospitality, insurance, and international finance.
The national honour, however, comes against the backdrop of past public scrutiny surrounding the award of the $11 billion Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project to Hitech Construction Company, a Chagoury-owned firm, in 2024. The project drew criticism over the absence of a public bidding process and the longstanding personal relationship between Tinubu and Chagoury.
Reports have also linked President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, to the Chagoury business network, with claims that he sits on the board of one of the group’s companies and shares business interests abroad with Chagoury’s son, Ronald Chagoury Jr.
These reports have continued to generate public debate, though no official wrongdoing has been established.
Follow Us on Google Discover
Oyo State: List of LGAs, population, land mass, government, other key facts
Osun State: List of LGAs, population, land mass, government, other key facts
Ondo State: List of LGAs, population, land mass, government, other key facts
Eight Nigerian Soldiers killed as ISWAP landmine hits Army patrol vehicle in Borno
Bauchi Health Agency boss, four children die in Road accident
‘Nigeria cannot become prosperous in four years’ — Tinubu’s Economic Adviser says
2027: Tinubu must be stopped, ‘even Buhari saw him as bad news’ — Hakeem Baba-Ahmed
APC sweeps all 21 chairmanship seats, 239 Councillorship positions in Kogi LG poll
‘₦29,000 Cannot sustain a retired officer’ — Atiku challenges Tinubu on police pensions, proposes initiative
FG ends 17-year blackout in Gombe community with 1MW solar mini-grid
EPL: Leeds hold Man Utd to 1-1 draw as pressure mounts on Carrick
DSS arrests of NYSC kidnappers, Faisal Maina: Why intelligence must take centre stage: by Olufemi Lawson
SSANU halts two-week strike ultimatum after FG’s intervention
Catholic priest dies after Jesus’ statue falls on him during mass in Ecuador (video)
2027: NDC will never step down for Atiku, stop attacking us – Kwankwaso replies ADC Campaign Council
2027: Step down if you are not working for Tinubu – Deji Adeyanju dares Obi, Kwankwaso
2027: Kwankwaso a goat in sheep’s clothing, secretly working for Tinubu – Atiku Campaign Council
Opposition will front a single candidate against Tinubu, announcement will be made few days to election – Lukman
2027: ‘I wont join my Uncle to support Tinubu’ – Davido says
‘₦29,000 Cannot sustain a retired officer’ — Atiku challenges Tinubu on police pensions, proposes initiative
DSS arrests Maina’s fugitive son in Abuja, hands him over to EFCC
Gunmen kill four vigilantes in Plateau community
Veteran Journalist, diplomat Dele Cole dies at 86
Tension as traditional ruler collapses, dies in Ondo
Suspended NSCDC commandant apologises over deaths of suspected illegal miners in Niger
Ogun hospital under fire as Nurse dies of asthma attack amid alleged oxygen failure
Buhari backed Osinbajo’s presidential ambition four times, Akande tells Babachir Lawal
2027: NDC will never step down for Atiku, stop attacking us – Kwankwaso replies ADC Campaign Council
Macky Sall quits race for UN Secretary-General position
