President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the conferment of the prestigious Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) national honor on Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Kudirat Kekere-ekun.

President Tinubu made the announcement in a national broadcast to commemorate the 64th Independence Anniversary on Tuesday

This esteemed award is one of Nigeria’s highest honors, ranking below the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR), typically reserved for the President and Vice President.

Besides the Vice President, who is statutorily conferred with the honour, previous recipients of the GCON include notable figures such as Aliko Dangote. 

In addition to the GCON awards, President Tinubu also announced Deputy Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives have been honored with the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) while the Deputy Speaker of the House has received the Commander of the Order of Niger (CON).

These national honors are awarded annually to recognise outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s development and growth. 


The President said a full list of 2024 national honours recipients will be announced soon, following tradition.

“As is the tradition, the government will soon announce all the beneficiaries of our national honours for 2024.  

“The Senate President and the Chief Justice of the Federation have been conferred with the honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). The Deputy Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives have the honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), while the deputy speaker of the House has been awarded Commander of the Order of Niger (CON),” he announced.