In a significant event blending national recognition with personal friendship, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has bestowed one of Nigeria's highest honours on a prominent business magnate. The President, accompanied by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, personally visited the Lagos home of billionaire philanthropist, Sir Dr. Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu, to confer upon him the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
A Presidential Honour at a Private Residence
The ceremony, which took place on December 26, 2025, marked a notable departure from the typical formal settings of state house ceremonies. President Tinubu chose the private residence of the Adebutu family to present the award, underscoring the personal dimension of the occasion. The GCON is Nigeria's second-highest national honour, reserved for individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the nation.
Details of the visit were subsequently shared by Ladi Adebutu, the son of the honouree and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State during the 2023 elections. In a statement, he expressed the family's profound gratitude to the President and First Lady for the gesture, describing it as deeply humbling.
Recognition of Lifetime Service and Enduring Friendship
Ladi Adebutu's statement highlighted that the award served a dual purpose. It was first and foremost a celebration of his father's lifetime of service and tangible contributions to national development. Secondly, it reflected the depth of the long-standing personal friendship between President Tinubu and the elder Adebutu, a bond that has spanned decades.
"This rare recognition is not only a celebration of our baba’s lifetime of service and contributions to national development, but also shows how much you cherish your relationship as bosom friends for decades," part of the statement read. The family offered prayers for the continued health and endurance of this friendship.
Political Context and Past Events
The event carries interesting political undertones, given the profile of the honouree's son. Ladi Adebutu, who ran under the banner of the opposition PDP, was the main challenger to Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 Ogun State gubernatorial election, a race he ultimately lost.
Furthermore, Ladi Adebutu had a prior encounter with state security agencies. He was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in November 2024. The arrest occurred during the local government elections in Ogun State, where he was invited for questioning regarding alleged disturbances. At the time, the PDP's state publicity secretary, Kayode Adebayo, confirmed the arrest but noted that specific charges were unclear.
Despite these political intersections and past tensions, the presidential visit to the Adebutu dynasty was framed purely as an act of honour and personal respect. The conferment of the GCON on Kesington Adebutu stands as a major moment, recognizing a billionaire's impact on Nigeria's socio-economic landscape through a ceremony that bridged the official and the personal.
