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Nigerian-Lebanese Billionaire Gilbert Chagoury Bags Nigeria’s Second Highest National Honour
Nigerian-Lebanese billionaire businessman, Gilbert Chagoury has been awarded the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The official instrument of conferment, signed in Abuja on January 8, 2026, reads: “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 services to our country, hereby award you the title, dignity and all privileges of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).”
The GCON is one of Nigeria’s highest national honors, typically reserved for the Vice President, Senate President, Chief Justice and other top national figures.
Chagoury’s recognition reflects his decades-long contribution to Nigeria’s economic growth through the Chagoury Group, a private conglomerate he co-founded in 1971.
His business journey began at age 25, when he co-founded Chagoury Group with his younger brother, Ronald, in 1971.
Over five decades, the group has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading conglomerates, with operations spanning construction, flour milling, water treatment, glass manufacturing, insurance, hospitality, telecommunications, infrastructure and real estate.
The Group’s landmark projects in the real estate include Banana Island and the ambitious Eko Atlantic City built on reclaimed land along the Lagos coastline.
Positioned as Lagos’ future commercial hub, Eko Atlantic City is attracting major companies and reshaping the city’s corporate and residential footprint as Lagos approaches a population of 25 million. The lush city is expected to accommodate about 250,000 residents and up to 150,000 daily commuters.
Among Chagoury’s other significant undertakings is the $700 million Lagos Port renovation project, announced earlier this year as part of the government’s push to modernize port infrastructure.
He is also behind the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, awarded to Hitech Construction Company, another firm under his control.
Chagoury’s recognition highlights the role of private enterprise in Nigeria’s urban and economic development. It further emphasizes the impact of sustained leadership and long-term strategic planning on infrastructure, investment and business growth.
Celebrating the honour, Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola, in a recent post on X, formerly Twitter, said, “Congratulations to my role model, dear friend and mentor, Ambassador Gilbert Chagoury, on the well-deserved GCON honor conferred by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Sir, your life is a masterclass in vision, discipline, and steady excellence,” he added. “From Banana Island to Eko Atlantic City, your work speaks in landmarks, jobs, and lasting impact, inspiring generations of Nigerians to think bigger and act bolder. This honor is truly well deserved.”
In a decisive move aimed at alleviating the economic burdens of retired public servants, Zamfara State Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal, has officially approved increased monthly pension payments for all former workers from both state and local government offices. The approval follows an extensive financial review of retirees’ living conditions, with particular attention to those in lower-income brackets who have been disproportionately affected by the prevailing cost-of-living crisis.
The decision was precipitated by the findings and recommendations of a special committee empaneled to evaluate the welfare situation of pensioners across the state. The committee’s report highlighted acute financial distress among aging retirees and called for immediate remedial action. In response, the state government has authorized a substantive upward adjustment in monthly pension stipends.
This increment aligns seamlessly with the Federal Government’s Minimum Wage Act of 2024, which explicitly recommended an additional monthly sum of at least N32,000 for pensioners. Governor Lawal has opted for full implementation of this advisory for all retired state and local government employees a policy intervention expected to benefit thousands of households across Zamfara. The state government has subsequently issued binding directives to all relevant agencies to ensure the expeditious and seamless disbursement of the enhanced payments without procedural delays.
Speaking on the development, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mahmud Muhammad Dantawasa, characterized the policy as a tangible demonstration of Governor Lawal’s unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for both active and former government workers. According to the Commissioner, the administration operates on the principle that dignified retirement includes access to basic necessities and financial comfort. Beneficiaries across all local government areas have been assured of prompt payment once implementation commences.
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