Nigerian billionaires Abdul Samad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu, others, receive national honors

Mfonobong Nsehe -

Nigerian tycoons Abdul Samad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu, Jim Ovia, and Herbert Wigwe are among the 447 honorees who received national honors from Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday. The beneficiaries include both Nigerians and non-Nigerians.

At the 2022 National Honors Award Investiture held at the International Conference Center in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, the national honors were presented to the leading businessmen for their contributions to the development and growth of the country’s economy, as well as their support for entrepreneurs and businesses.

Rabiu, who is one of Africa’s wealthiest billionaires owing to his interest in BUA Group, one of the continent’s fastest-growing industrial giants, has been instrumental in advancing the country’s economic development and security.

Meanwhile, Tony Elumelu, a leading businessman who has contributed to the transformation of the Nigerian banking industry through the growth and expansion of UBA Group, was conferred the title of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), despite already holding the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) titles.

In addition to the roles that these magnates have played in the development of the Nigerian industrial and banking sectors, they continue to promote African entrepreneurs and enterprises as part of the country’s efforts to alleviate poverty and achieve sustainable development.

Recently, Rabiu announced the creation of the N10-billion ($23.8 million) Nigeria Security Support Fund through his philanthropic organization, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa).

While Elumelu recently committed to a $20-million partnership with the U.S. African Development Foundation to foster economic growth not only in Nigeria but all throughout Africa.

Apart from Rabiu, Elumelu, Ovia, and Wigwe, Sahara Energy CEO Kola Adeshina, Flutterwave CEO Olugbenga Agboola, and Nigerian gaming tycoon Kessington Adebutu were also recognized with national honors during the 2022 National Honors Award Investiture.