Opposition Condemns Tinubu’s Conferment of GCON on Chagoury

Major opposition parties have criticised President Bola Tinubu for awarding billionaire businessman and longtime associate Gilbert Chagoury the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), describing the move as an example of cronyism and a decline in national values.

The criticism came amid concerns over the timing, optics, and justification for conferring Nigeria’s second-highest national honour on Chagoury.

Ladipo Johnson, National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, said the decision reflects what he sees as Tinubu’s governing style, noting the President often ignores public opinion.

He stated, “There is no need to be surprised. For the past two years, Tinubu has spent much of his time abroad. The Chagourys received contracts for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and also built Eko Atlantic. The President will act as he pleases, regardless of public opinion. His priorities have been clear—he was absent on Nigerian Armed Forces Day and Remembrance Day.”

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, said while the President has the legal power to confer national honours, the award highlights the politicisation of the system.

“National honours should reflect genuine service to the country, but this decision reduces them to personal favours,” he said. “It is unprecedented to see the second-highest national honour given to a business associate of the President.”

Senator Nenadi Usman, acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, also questioned whether Chagoury’s contributions merit such a prestigious award. Speaking through her Special Adviser, Ken Asogwa, she said:

“Receiving the second-highest national honour should be based on clear contributions to the nation. People like Aliko Dangote and Mike Adenuga earned theirs through job creation and significant impact. Awarding a close ally or business partner simply because of friendship is the highest form of cronyism.”

President Tinubu recently conferred the GCON on Chagoury in recognition of his contributions to national development. In a letter dated January 8, the President cited Chagoury’s services to the country and conferred the honour under the powers granted by the National Honours Act.

The award received public praise from billionaire Femi Otedola, who described it as well deserved, highlighting Chagoury’s role in major real estate and infrastructure projects, including Banana Island and Eko Atlantic, and their impact on job creation and urban development.

Chagoury, a Lebanese-Nigerian born in Lagos, co-founded the Chagoury Group in 1971. The conglomerate has interests in construction, real estate, manufacturing, insurance, hospitality, telecommunications, IT, catering, and international financing.

The award comes amid controversy surrounding the $11 billion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project awarded to Chagoury’s company, Hitech, in 2024, which drew scrutiny due to the lack of a public bidding process and Tinubu’s long-standing ties with the businessman.