President Bola Tinubu has conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on Lebanese-Nigerian businessman, Gilbert Chagoury, in recognition of his contributions and services to Nigeria.
The honour, Nigeria’s second-highest national award after the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR), was conferred through an Instrument of Conferment of National Honour dated January 8, 2026.
Tinubu said the award was made pursuant to the powers vested in him under the National Honours Act, describing Chagoury as deserving of the recognition based on his “outstanding virtues” and long-standing service to the country.
“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 you the title, dignity and all the privileges of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON),” the President said.
Chagoury, who was born in Nigeria to Lebanese immigrant parents, is a prominent industrialist and co-founder of the Chagoury Group, established in Lagos in 1971. The conglomerate has major interests in construction, real estate, hospitality, glass manufacturing, and flour milling, and is one of the country’s leading business groups.
In a related development, President Tinubu has also congratulated the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, on his re-election as Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategic Group (AMSG), a continental forum of ministers responsible for mining and solid minerals.
The AMSG seeks to maximise Africa’s benefits from its vast mineral resources. Alake was first elected chairman in 2024 on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) and was re-elected at the group’s 2026 Annual General Meeting, held alongside the same conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Tinubu described Alake’s re-election as a vote of confidence in his visionary leadership, steadfast commitment, and strategic advocacy for the development of Africa’s minerals sector.
