Timi Frank Slams Tinubu Over GCON Award to Billionaire Gilbert Chagoury

The decision to confer the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on billionaire businessman Gilbert Chagoury has sparked a firestorm of criticism, with former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Timi Frank describing it as a “dark day” for the nation’s moral fabric. In a scathing critique released on Tuesday, Frank questioned the rationale behind awarding Nigeria’s second-highest national honor to a figure with a history of judicial entanglements. He warned that the move risks institutionalizing a culture where political and business loyalty is prioritized over transparency and anti-corruption values.

Frank’s intervention centers on the well-documented past of the Lebanese-Nigerian tycoon, particularly his role during the military era of the late General Sani Abacha. The outspoken critic reminded the public that a Swiss court had previously convicted Chagoury in 2000 for his involvement in laundering funds looted from the Nigerian treasury. According to court records cited by Frank, Chagoury returned approximately $66 million to the federal government and paid a hefty fine to settle the case. For Frank, elevating such a figure to the rank of GCON—an honor typically reserved for Vice Presidents and Chief Justices—is a slap in the face to the country’s integrity.

The timing and manner of the award have added to the public outcry. The honor was reportedly conferred on January 8, 2026, coinciding with Chagoury’s 80th birthday, yet it was not officially announced by the Presidency. The news only surfaced after fellow billionaire Femi Otedola shared a copy of the conferment instrument on social media, prompting a delayed confirmation from presidential spokesmen. Frank argued that this lack of transparency suggests the administration was aware of the potential backlash such a move would trigger among a populace already sensitive to issues of state capture.

Central to Frank’s argument is the blurring of lines between private business interests and public policy. Gilbert Chagoury is a known close associate of President Bola Tinubu, with their relationship dating back decades to the President’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State. Currently, Chagoury-linked firms are at the heart of some of the administration’s most ambitious and controversial projects, including the ₦11 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the renovation of major ports. Frank pointed out that awarding the GCON to a primary government contractor creates a massive conflict of interest that could undermine public trust in national infrastructure projects.

In his statement, Frank asked a series of rhetorical questions regarding the criteria used for the selection. He challenged the Presidency to list the specific schools, hospitals, or social welfare programs funded by Chagoury that warrant such a prestigious national recognition. By bestowing this honor, Frank contends that the government is signaling that foreign influence and strategic business alliances carry more weight than a clean record of service. He expressed deep concern that Nigeria is being transformed into a “theater where corruption is rewarded” and high-level connections serve as a shield against accountability.

The controversy also touches on international perceptions of Nigeria’s governance. Frank noted that the world is watching how the country treats figures who have been linked to “grand-scale looting” in the past. He suggested that at a time when Nigeria is seeking to attract foreign investment and strengthen its global standing, honoring a “convicted money launderer” sends a contradictory message to international partners and anti-graft agencies. For Frank, the award is not just a domestic issue but a significant foreign policy blunder that tarnishes the country’s image on the global stage.

Public reaction has been swift, with many Nigerians taking to digital platforms to debate the merits of the award. Supporters of the move, like Femi Otedola, highlight Chagoury’s role in creating thousands of jobs and developing iconic landmarks like Eko Atlantic City, which they argue have modernized the nation’s economic capital. However, for critics like Frank, no amount of physical development can compensate for what they perceive as a betrayal of the national motto of “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.”

As the debate intensifies, the Presidency has maintained that the award was given in recognition of Chagoury’s “outstanding virtues” and services to Nigeria. However, with Timi Frank leading the charge for a more rigorous vetting process for national honors, the conversation is unlikely to die down soon. The clash represents a broader struggle within the Nigerian polity: the tension between recognizing economic contribution and upholding a standard of moral leadership. For Frank, the GCON award to Chagoury is a definitive sign that the latter is being sacrificed for the former.