President Bola Tinubu has granted the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger to his longtime associate, Gilbert Chagoury.
The president said Chagoury was given Nigeria’s second highest honour because of his contributions to the country.
Tinubu said “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.”
According to billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, the honour was well deserved, saying Chagoury’s has left a legacy in business and national development.
“Your life is a masterclass in vision, discipline, and steady excellence,” Otedola wrote.
He said Chagoury’s contributions to major real estate and infrastructure projects have created jobs and left a lasting imprint on Nigeria’s urban landscape.
“From Banana Island to Eko Atlantic City, your work speaks to landmarks, jobs, and lasting impact, and your leadership has inspired generations of Nigerians to think bigger and act bolder,” he added.
Otedola celebrated Chagoury’s achievements, saying “this honour is truly well deserved. I celebrate you today and always,” he said.
Chagoury is a Lebanese Nigerian who was born to Lebanese immigrant parents in Lagos.
He and his brother Ronald Chagoury co-founded the Chagoury Group in 1971. The conglomerate has interests in construction, real estate and property development, flour mills, water bottling and purification, glass manufacturing, insurance, hotels, furniture manufacturing, telecommunications, IT, catering and international financing.
In 2024 Tinubu awarded the $11 billion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project to Chagoury’s Hitech, sparking a controversy leading to scrutiny due to the lack of public bidding.
It is learnt that Tinubu’s son, Seyi, sits on the board of one of Chagoury’s companies, while also being a joint shareholder in the British Virgin Islands with Gilbert’s son, Ronald Chagoury Jr.
