resident Bola Tinubu has conferred the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on his Lebanese ally, Ambassador Gilbert Chagoury.
GCON is the second highest honor in the country.
The conferment was contained in an instrument signed by the President, in which he cited his constitutional powers under the National Honours Act.
According to the instrument, the honour was awarded in recognition of Chagoury’s personal qualities and contributions to the country.
The instrument read: “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).”
The conferment was dated January 8, 2026, and was signed by President Tinubu in his capacity as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The awardee, Chagoury, has been subject of immense corruption allegations.
SaharaReporters had reported how the Nigerian government awarded a $700million contract for the renovation of Tin Can and Apapa ports in Lagos to ITB Nigeria, a construction firm owned by billionaire Chagoury, a close ally of Tinubu.
The decision, finalised at a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting had raised concerns over ITB Nigeria’s lack of experience in port development.
Reports indicate that Tinubu had the final say in awarding the contract to Chagoury’s firm.
This follows a controversial multi-trillion-naira contract awarded to another Chagoury-owned company, Hitech Construction, for the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, a project that faced scrutiny despite government assurances of Hitech’s expertise.
Chagoury is also facilitating talks to introduce Dubai-based DP World as a new port operator in Lagos.
On February 26, 2025, Tinubu met with DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chagoury, and Marine and Blue Economy Minister Adegboyega Oyetola to discuss potential investments.
Existing operators, including APM Terminals, are closely monitoring the developments, as some Tin Can port concessions are already open for bidding.
CMA Terminals, a subsidiary of France’s CMA CGM, currently controls Lekki port under an agreement preventing the establishment of any new container terminal in Lagos before December 2028.
Despite high regulatory fees and customs charges, Lagos ports remain a critical entry point for trade in Africa. In 2006, APM Terminals secured a 25-year concession for Apapa port in a deal worth nearly $1 billion.
Africa Intelligence reports that the business connections between Gilbert Chagoury and the Tinubu administration go beyond awarded contracts.
“The links between the Chagoury family and the Tinubu clan are numerous. The president’s son, Oluwaseyi Tinubu, known as Seyi Tinubu, is on the board of CDK Integrated Industries, another subsidiary of the Chagoury group.
“President Tinubu has since taking office in 2023 awarded numerous contracts to the Lebanese-Nigerian businessman, who backed him during his election campaign and is expected to play a major role in his bid for re-election in 2027,” the report says.
