Nigeria, Jan. 20 -- President Bola Tinubu has conferred Nigeria's second-highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), on Gilbert Chagoury, the controversial Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire and close ally of the Nigerian leader.

The award, given on 8 January, was not announced by the presidency or made public until Monday, when billionaire Femi Otedola shared a copy on X. Mr Chagoury celebrated his 80th birthday on 8 January.

Presidency sources confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that the award shared by Mr Otedola was authentic, but indicated the presidency may not issue a statement on the matter.

Mr Chagoury was accused of helping former military head of state Sani Abacha, who ruled from 1993 to 1998, loot Niger...