The Order of the Niger is an order of merit with a Civil Division and a Military Division established in 1960.
Nigeria achieved independence on October 1, 1960, and subsequently became the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1963. Following this transition, two prestigious orders of merit were established: the Order of the Niger and the Order of the Federal Republic.
The highest distinctions, the Grand Commander in the Order of the Federal Republic and the Grand Commander in the Order of the Niger, are conferred upon the President and Vice-President respectively. Additionally, the presiding judge of the Supreme Court and the chairman of the Senate are automatically invested as Commanders in the Order of the Niger by virtue of their positions.
The grades of the Order of the Niger are:
- Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON)
- Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)
- Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)
- Member of the Order of the Niger (MON)
The Order of the Niger Design
The insignia of the order varies considerably depending on the grade, but consists of a star and a central disc with the inscription “Order of the Niger”.
The ribbon is red, white, and green. The Military Division has an additional thin red line in the middle.
