President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the national honor, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), on President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank, Benedict Oramah, for his “outstanding contributions” to Africa’s development.
This was announced via a State House Press Release titled ‘President Tinubu confers GCON on outgoing Afrexim Bank Chairman Prof. Benedict Oramah for outstanding leadership’, signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Friday 27 June, 2025.
The State House Press Release (part) reads: “President Bola Tinubu Friday in Abuja conferred the national honor, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), on President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank for his outstanding contributions to development of Africa, particularly prioritising Nigeria’s interests.
“The President gave the surprise recognition to Prof. Oramah at the 32nd Annual Meetings of the Bank, appreciating his leadership role in expanding trade on the continent by leveraging opportunities, integrating and streamlining payment systems, and facilitating development projects for both the private and public sectors.
“”Today is your day, Prof Oramah. I have listened to the accounts and reports you read eloquently, which also consist of lessons for us, your friends.
“”I have the honour and privilege of conferring on you one of the highest recognitions of our country, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON),” he said.
“President Tinubu noted that this year’s meeting theme—”Building the Future on Decades of Resilience”—was timely and profound.
“”Afrexim Bank, under Professor Benedict Oramah’s steadfast leadership, has grown its assets from 5 billion dollars to over 37 billion dollars. His decade of leadership saw the Bank champion Africa’s pandemic response, drive industrialisation, and support the AfCFTA and the continent’s creative economy. His legacy is one of generational impact,” he added.
“Prof. Oramah, who was one of the pioneering leaders of the institution in 1993, served as President/Chairman of the Bank for ten years, with record interventions in facilitating funds for 400 million vaccines to halt spread of Covid-19 in Africa, supporting agricultural development, healthcare projects and energy, including the Dangote Refinery.
“President Tinubu noted that Nigeria benefited from more than 52 billion dollars in support from the Afrexim Bank.
“”Nigeria has proudly benefited from over 52 billion dollars in support, directed into energy, agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, and creative industries. Flagship projects such as the Dangote and BUA Refineries, the African Medical Centre of Excellence, and the Africa Quality Assurance Centre embody confidence in Nigeria’s future and Africa’s potential.
“”This partnership extends beyond capital. Nigeria’s formal approval of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is a significant step towards financial independence. PAPSS enables cross-border trade in local currencies, reducing reliance on foreign exchange and promoting economic stability. I urge all African nations to embrace PAPSS because deeper financial integration strengthens our collective resilience,” he added.
“The President said Afrexim Bank was born from Africa’s resolve to own its development since 1993, with over 250 billion dollars mobilised for trade and development and 140 billion dollars in the last decade alone.
“”Nigeria’s collaboration with Afrexim Bank is expanding in scope and ambition. Together, we are launching the Africa Energy Bank, headquartered in Abuja, with 5 billion dollars in initial capital to finance Africa’s energy transition—leveraging gas, renewables, and clean technologies.
“”We are scaling our fertiliser sector to 7.5 million tonnes annually, supported by Afrexim Bank, positioning Nigeria as Africa’s fertiliser hub and ensuring food security for the continent. Meanwhile, transformative projects such as the 3.5 billion dollar Bakassi Deep Seaport enhance trade infrastructure and market access.
“”Through platforms like FEDA, AQAC, CANEX, and PAPSS, our partnership with Afrexim Bank is not just about financing. It’s about fostering African entrepreneurship, elevating quality standards, and scaling SMEs in creative and export-driven industries. Afrexim Bank is a strategic partner in co-creating the institutions, infrastructure, and innovations that will define Africa’s economic future,” he stated.
“President Tinubu said fundamental transformation was recorded in empowering citizens and thriving enterprises, with over 100,000 Nigerians accessing the new national consumer credit scheme.
“The President noted that 400,000 more Nigerians have been queued for the next phase of the scheme,
“”Our landmark student loan programme ensures no child is denied higher education due to financial hardship.
“”We have spent 45.9 billion naira in healthcare to upgrade 8,800 primary health centres, improving maternal care and diagnostics in neglected communities. We are deploying thousands of fibre-optic cables for digital inclusion to bridge connectivity gaps and power innovation.
“In his remarks, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, thanked the president for approving hosting the 32nd annual meeting in Abuja.
“Edun thanked Afrexim Bank for opening the African Trade Centre in Abuja, an excellent global medical centre, and supporting the private sector.”
