Tinubu Under Fire for Awarding GCON to His Business Associate Chagoury

President Bola Tinubu is facing strong criticism from opposition parties following his decision to confer the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on billionaire businessman, Gilbert Chagoury.

The honour is Nigeria’s second-highest national award. Critics say the decision reflects cronyism and weakens the value of national honours.

Leaders of opposition parties described the move as poorly timed and ethically questionable. They argued that the award reinforces concerns about the President’s closeness to powerful business allies. The reactions were sharp and unanimous in tone.

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) said the award fits into what it described as Tinubu’s pattern of leadership. The party claimed the President often ignores public opinion.

According to NNPP spokesman Ladipo Johnson, Tinubu’s long association with the Chagoury family made the award unsurprising.

He said, “I don’t think there is a need for us to feel funny about it. There is nothing worrisome about it, either. It’s a situation we are all aware of.”

Ladipo also pointed to the President’s frequent stays abroad and major projects linked to Chagoury-owned firms. He added that the President had already made his choice, regardless of public reaction.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also faulted the decision. Its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, said while the President has the legal power to grant honours, the action exposed what he called a misuse of the system. He argued that national honours should not become rewards for personal loyalty.

Abdullahi stated, “It’s within the prerogative of the President to give national honours to whoever he will.” However, he warned that the practice now appears driven by personal ties rather than national service. He described the development as a decline in national values.

The Labour Party raised similar concerns. Acting National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, questioned whether Chagoury’s contributions justified such a high national honour. She spoke through her media aide, Ken Asogwa. Usman said national honours should reflect measurable impact on citizens’ lives.

She argued that past recipients like Aliko Dangote earned their honours through large-scale job creation and economic impact. According to her, merit, not personal relationships, should guide such decisions. She described the award as a clear case of political favouritism.

President Tinubu, however, defended the decision in an official letter dated January 8. In the letter, he said the honour was based on Chagoury’s services to Nigeria.

The letter read in part, “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… Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).”

The award also received support from some business leaders. Billionaire investor Femi Otedola praised the recognition. He described Chagoury’s career as impactful and inspiring.

He said, “Your life is a masterclass in vision, discipline, and steady excellence.” Otedola highlighted major real estate projects credited to Chagoury and said the honour was deserved.

Chagoury is a Lebanese-Nigerian businessman born in Lagos. He co-founded the Chagoury Group in 1971. The group operates across construction, real estate, manufacturing, hospitality, and finance. Some of its projects are among Nigeria’s most prominent urban developments.

However, the honour comes amid ongoing controversy over the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project. The multi-billion-dollar project was awarded to Hitech, a company linked to Chagoury. The deal drew public attention due to concerns over transparency and the lack of open bidding.

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