Peter Obi Criticises National Honours for Politicians, Urges Recognition for Entrepreneurs

Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has criticised the Federal Government over what he described as the wrongful awarding of national honours to politicians.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during the public presentation of The Chronicles of a Legend, a biography of business mogul and philanthropist Gabriel Igbinedion, Obi called for a complete reform of the national honours system.

“The Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) should be for entrepreneurs and productive people, not politicians,” Obi declared.

The former Governor of Anambra State stressed the need for Nigeria to start honouring individuals who have made tangible contributions to economic growth and nation-building.

Obi praised Gabriel Igbinedion’s achievements in aviation, education, and cultural preservation, noting that individuals like him deserve greater national recognition.

“We live in a country where we celebrate people who are not supposed to be celebrated,” he said. “If we did things right, the celebration we are giving Igbinedion today would have been much more.”

He also highlighted Igbinedion’s impact as a major employer of labour, saying:

“If we had been a country that was productive, over 20 million Nigerians would have been employed, because Igbinedion employed over 17,000 Nigerians.”

Obi’s remarks come amid public debate following recent national honours and gifts—cash and houses—awarded to the Super Falcons after their victory at the African Cup of Nations. While many supported the recognition of the football team, others argued for equal acknowledgment of citizens contributing to education, healthcare, and national security.

In July 2025, President Bola Tinubu conferred national awards on several Nigerians, both living and posthumous, a move that drew mixed reactions from citizens nationwide.

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