The Presidency has affirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has bestowed the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on billionaire industrialist and philanthropist Gilbert Chagoury.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development on Monday, explaining that the honour was granted in recognition of Chagoury’s contributions to Nigeria’s economic growth and the hospitality sector.
According to Onanuga, the national honour was conferred on January 8, 2026, the same day Chagoury turned 80, as a mark of appreciation for his decades of service to the country.
The GCON ranks among Nigeria’s most prestigious honours and is typically reserved for senior public office holders, including Vice Presidents, heads of the legislature, and Chief Justices.
Chagoury, a Nigerian-Lebanese entrepreneur, co-founded the Chagoury Group in 1971 alongside his brother, Ronald. The conglomerate operates across multiple sectors, including construction, real estate, manufacturing, telecommunications, insurance, and hospitality. It is responsible for some of Nigeria’s most notable developments, such as Banana Island and the ongoing Eko Atlantic City project in Lagos.
He also owns leading hospitality brands, notably Eko Hotels and Suites and The Oriental Hotel, both based in Lagos.
In 2024, Chagoury’s Hitech Construction Company secured the contract for the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, a move that generated public debate over transparency in the award process.
Despite his business achievements, Chagoury has faced controversy in the past, particularly due to his links with the late former military ruler General Sani Abacha. Following Abacha’s death, he returned large sums of money to the Nigerian government and later reached settlements related to legal cases in Switzerland and the United States.
Chagoury has maintained longstanding ties with President Tinubu dating back to Tinubu’s years as Lagos State Governor. He was also part of the President’s delegation to France in December 2024 during engagements aimed at strengthening economic cooperation.
The announcement of the honour has since generated widespread public reaction, reflecting ongoing debates about national recognition and public accountability.
Source: Punch Newspaper