Order of the Niger
Star and ribbon of the 2 divisions
Awarded by  Nigeria
TypeOrder
Awarded forServices to the nation
StatusCurrently constituted
SovereignPresident of Nigeria
GradesGrand Commander (GCON)
Commander (CON)
Officer (OON)
Member (MON)
Precedence
Next (higher)Order of the Federal Republic

(civil division)

(military division)
Ribbon bar of the order

Map of West Africa highlighting the path of the Niger River
The order takes its name from the Niger River

Nigeria became an independent country on 1 October 1960 and in 1963 became the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The republic instituted two orders of merit: the Order of the Niger and the Order of the Federal Republic.[1]

Award

The two highest honours, the Grand Commander in the Order of the Federal Republic and Grand Commander in the Order of the Niger are awarded to the president and vice-president respectively. The presiding judge in the Supreme Court and the chairman of the Senate are qualitative and ex officio commander in the Order of the Niger.

Grades

Nigeria followed the British example in the form and structure of the order. Similarly, there are post-nominal letters for members of the Order of the Niger.

The order has a Civil Division and a Military Division. The ribbon of the latter division has a small red line in the middle .

Notable recipients

Notable recipients include:[2][3][4]

S/NO NAMES STATUS Sector Class of medal
1 Muhammad Sani Ahmed Chairman Jamesh Company Limited Private MFR
2 Aliko Dangote Chairman of Dangote Group Private GCON
3 Bello Maitama Yusuf Former Internal Affairs Minister Public GCON
4 Aminu Tambuwal Former Governor, Sokoto State Public CFR
5 Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN Attorney General of the Federation Public CFR
6 Oluseyi Petinrin Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Public CFR
7 Muhammadu Dikko Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Public CFR
8 Azubuike Ihejirika Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Public CFR
9 Hafiz Ringim Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Public CFR
10 Abdullahi Dikko Former Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Public OFR
11 Aloma Mariam Mukhtar Former Justice of the Supreme Court Public GCON
12 Victoria Gowon Former First Lady of Nigeria Public CFR
13 Bolaji Akinyemi Professor of Political Science, and Former Minister, External Affairs Public CFR
14 Chinua Achebe Scholar, and a eminent figure of modern African literature. Private CFR
15 Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi III The Olowo of Owo, Ondo State

Public

CFR
16 Tony Elumelu Philanthropist Private CON
17 Ahmed Idris Wase Former Deputy Speaker House of Representatives Public CON
18 Oba Otudeko Founder and chairman of the Honeywell Group and Oba Otudeko Foundation Private CON
19 Akin Mabogunje Geographer Consultant and First African President of the International Geographical Union. Private and Public CON
20 Peter Obi Former Governor, Anambra State and 2023 Labor Party Presidential Candidate Public CON
21 Liyel Imoke Former Governor, Cross River State Public CON
22 Adams Oshiomhole Former Governor, Edo State and Senator, Edo North Central Public CON
23 Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa Former Governor of Kaduna State Public CON
24 Ibrahim Shehu Shema Former Governor of Katsina Staff Public CON
25 Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu Former Governor of Niger State Public CON
26 Rotimi Amaechi Former Governor of Rivers State and Former Minister of Transportation Public CON
27 Godswill Akpabio President of the 10th Nigerian Senate Public CON
28 Sule Lamido Former Governor, Jigawa State Public CON
29 Abba Kyari Former Governor North Central State Public CON
30 Chukwuemeka Ezeife Former Governor Anambra State Public CON
31 Olusegun Agagu Former Governor of Ondo State, and renowned Geologist Public CON
32 Isiaka Adeleke Former Governor, Osun State, and former Senator, Osun West Public CON
33 Lam Adesina Former Governor of Oyo State Public CON
34 Bukar Abba Ibrahim Former Governor of Yobe State Public CON
35 Rufus Ada George Former Governor, Rivers State Public CON
36 Atedo Peterside Founder, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Anap Business Jets Limited, and The Atedo N. A. Peterside Foundation. Private CON
37 Sam Ohuabunwa Founder and Former CEO of Neimeth Pharmaceutical, and Former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria. Private OFR
38 Tony Ezenna Founder, Orange Drugs Nigeria Limited Private OFR
39 Iyorwuese Hagher Former Minister of State for Health/Power and Steel, and Ambassador to Mexico and High Commissioner to Canada[5] Public OON
40 Victor Olaiya Renowned Musician, and Trumpeter Private[6][7] OON
41 Francesca Yetunde Emanuel Former Permanent Secretary, Public Service Department of the Cabinet Office Public CON
42 Stella Oduah Former Minister of Aviation Public OON
43 Tobi Amusan World, Commonwealth and African champion of the 100 meters hurdles Private OON
44 Iyin Aboyeji Former CEO, Flutterwave & Co-founder, Andela Private OON
45 Teni Singer, Songwriter and Entertainer. Private MON
46 Emeka Okwuosa Chairman/GCEO, OilServ Limited Private CON
47 Habeeb Okunola CEO, TILT Group Private MON
48 Abike Dabiri Chairman/CEO of Nigerian Diaspora Commission Public OON
48 Joseph Oqua Ansa Former Senator, Cross River South Public MON
49 Asisat Oshoala Athlete Sport MON
50 Gabriel Ogbechie Founder GMD, Rainoil Limited Private OON
51 Nimi Briggs Emeritus Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and, Former Vice Chancellor, University of Port- Harcourt, Rivers State Public OON
52 Kayode Ajulo Lawyer, arbitrator & civil rights activist Private OON
53 Davido Singer, songwriter, record producer Private OON
54 Charles Okpaleke Nigerian businessman and film producer Private OON
55 Ado Bayero Emir of Kano Public CFR
56 Owen Omogiafo President/GCEO, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Private OON
57 Dr. F.B.A. Coker Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, businessman and Chairman of Victoria Island Consultancy and Hospital Services Private OON
58 Chief H.T.O. Coker Private Attorney in Admiralty, Energy and Aviation Law Private OON
59 Chief Erhabor Ogieva Emokpae Former National Artist of Nigeria Public OON
60 Sani Umar Rijiyar Lemo Salafism Preacher in Nigeria Private OON
61 Francis Uzoho, Ola Aina, Zaidu Sanusi, Alhassan Yusuf, William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Ahmed Musa, Frank Onyeka, Victor Osimhen, Joe Aribo, Samuel Chukwueze, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Olorunleke Ojo, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Paul Onuachu, Chidozie Awaziem, Calvin Bassey, Kenneth Omeruo, Stanley Nwabali, Terem Moffi, Raphael Onyedika, as 2023 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up footballers Sport MON

References

  1. ^ "National Honours Act" (PDF). Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 April 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  2. ^ "Full list of 2010 and 2011 Nigeria National Honours Award recipients". Ogala.wordpress.com. 2011-11-14. Archived from the original on 2019-02-02. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
  3. ^ "List of Nominees For National Award – 2022" (PDF). Premium Times. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  4. ^ "FULL LIST: Okonjo-Iweala, Abba Kyari... FG nominates 437 persons for national honours". TheCable. 2022-10-02. Retrieved 2022-10-13.
  5. ^ "Office of the Pro-Chancellor | Afe Babalola University". Archived from the original on 2021-10-03. Retrieved 2020-08-23.
  6. ^ "Victor Olaiya: Nigeria's 'evil genius' trumpeter who influenced Fela Kuti". Archived 2021-05-31 at the Wayback Machine, BBC, 21 March 2020
  7. ^ "Victor Olaiya, Veteran Highlife Musician Dies At 89". Archived 2021-08-29 at the Wayback Machine, Daily Independent, 12 February 2020

External links

Categories