Breaking: Tinubu Confers National Honour on Business Associate Chagoury
- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu awards Gilbert Chagoury the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON)
- Chagoury received Nigeria's second-highest honour for his significant contributions to the country
- The national award ceremony took place in Abuja on Monday, January 19, 2026
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
FCT, Abuja - President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on his longtime associate and Lebanese-Nigerian businessman, Gilbert Chagoury.
Tinubu said Chagoury was given Nigeria’s second-highest honour because of his contributions to the country.
Source: Facebook
As reported by Daily Trust, the President made this known on Monday, January 19, 2026.
“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.”
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Who is Gilbert Chagoury
According to his personal website, Gilbert Chagoury was born in Nigeria in 1946 to Lebanese parents.
Chagoury studied at the College des Freres in Lebanon before returning to Nigeria.
After his return to Nigeria, he started selling shoes, but soon worked his way up to selling a slightly more complex mode of transportation in automobiles.
In 1969, Gilbert and Rose-Marie married, and they have four children: Ramez, Gilbert-Antoine, Christopher, and Anne-Marie.
Source: Twitter
Presidential aide reacts to claims about Chagoury
Recall that Presidential aide, O'tega Ogra, gave some explanations amid perceptions that the recent France-Nigeria Business Council meeting, which was attended by Gilbert Chagoury, a Lebanese businessman, is a ‘funny ploy.’
Ogra, BUA Group's former head of brands and corporate communications, said he worked closely with the Nigerian-French Business Council since its inauguration in 2021 and attended their meetings.
The France-Nigeria Business Council was inaugurated by French leader Emmanuel Macron in June 2021 - a month after ex-President Muhammadu Buhari visited Paris for the Financing of African Economies summit.
Read more stories on Gilbert Chagoury:
- Timi Frank Reacts as Tinubu Confers GCON to Businessman Gilbert Chagoury: "Dark Moment in Nigeria."
- Tinubu Takes National Honour Award to House of Top Billionaires
- Tinubu Confers Posthumous National Honours on 4 Nigerians, Full List Emerges
- Full list of prominent Nigerians Tinubu gives awards to on Democracy Day
- Tinubu Confers National Honour on Indian PM, Narendra Modi, Video Emerges
Tinubu opens up on relationship with Chagoury.
Legit.ng also reported that President Tinubu has revealed that there was a long-time relationship between him and Chagoury, the chairman of HiTech Company handling the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
The president made the revelation during the flag-off of the road in Lagos on Sunday, May 27, adding that they tamed the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos together.
Tinubu's revelation came three weeks after Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate in 2023, alleged that the contract was awarded to HiTech because the president's son was part of the company's board.
Source: Legit.ng
