National honours should go to entrepreneurs, not politicians – Peter Obi

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called for a reform in the way Nigeria confers national honours, urging the Federal Government to prioritize entrepreneurs and individuals who have made measurable contributions to national development over career politicians.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during the public presentation of “The Chronicles of a Legend.” A biography of renowned businessman and philanthropist Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Obi emphasized the need to reassess the criteria for the nation’s highest awards.

“The Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) should be reserved for entrepreneurs and truly productive citizens, not politicians,” Obi said. “We need to change the way we honour people in this country.”

He praised Igbinedion for his contributions across critical sectors, including aviation, education, and cultural preservation, arguing that such achievements are more deserving of national recognition.

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“We live in a country where we often celebrate the wrong people,” Obi noted. “Had we been a nation that truly values productivity, the recognition we are giving him today would have been even greater.”

Obi also highlighted Igbinedion’s notable role in employment generation, crediting the Edo-born entrepreneur with creating thousands of jobs through his businesses.

“If Nigeria were a productive country, over 20 million Nigerians would be gainfully employed today. Igbinedion alone has provided jobs for over 17,000 Nigerians, that is the kind of impact we should honour,” the former Anambra State governor said

Obi’s remarks have reignited debate around the criteria and symbolism of Nigeria’s national honours system, which some critics say has become overly politicized.