Reports have emerged that President Bola Tinubu has awarded the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project worth 15 trillion Naira to his friend, Gilbert Chagoury, without any competitive bidding.

According to sources, the recipient of the contract identified as one Gilbert Chagoury is a Lebanese/Nigerian who owns Eko Hotel Lagos, and Eko Atlantic, which are among the most expensive hotels in Nigeria.

Per reports, although Gilbert does not reside in Lagos anymore, his children are currently heading his business empire in Lagos.

It has been gathered that Gilbert’s relationship with President Tinubu dates back over three decades.

It can be recalled that on his 78th birthday in January 2024, President Tinubu sent him well wishes on social media.

Tinubu earlier wrote; “Gilbert is a shining light in any room. He is compassionate, discerning, and totally reliable in every respect. He has invested in our country in both good and bad times. He is generous with both his heart and his resources. With friends like him, one can sleep with a still mind. He is a valuable and cherished person who is worthy of celebration.”

This development has since attracted criticism with many accusing him of nepotism.

Among them is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who also raised concerns over the contract awarded to Gilbert Chagoury.

Also, a post by one Olaudah Equiano on X(formerly Twitter) reads;

“Gilbert Chagoury, the owner of HiTech Construction Company, which won the controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal road without any competitive bidding, also owns the massive Eko Hotel Lagos.


"He is a Lebanese/Nigerian, and his parents arrived in Nigeria from Lebanon at the beginning of the 19th century in search of economic opportunities. Their son Gilbert has achieved success and is now living in Lagos. He is a close friend of the Bill Clinton family, a card-carrying member of the Democratic Party in the state, and a generous funder of the liberals as well.

"Gilbert does not live in Lagos again, the place where he made his wealth; he has relocated to France, where he lives in a castle in Paris, where he is enjoying his retirement. His children run his conglomerate business empire in Lagos but beyond that,

"Gilbert is one of the closest human beings alive, close to our president, and their relationship dates back over three decades. He clocked 78 last January, and our president gave him a presidential shout-out to celebrate his birthday as his confidant and man Friday.

"This is the first time he's received a shout-out from a sitting president on his birthday since the return of democracy in 1999. The last time our president traveled to France for personal reasons, he was at his farmhouse in Paris.

"So Gilbert’s company got the lucrative coastal road contract worth 15 trillion over the likes of Julius Berger and Wigwe’s Craneburg, who are the number 1 and number 2 construction companies in Nigeria, because of personal relationships, nepotism, and padi padi.

Something to ponder on.”