| Order of the Niger | |
| Type: | Order |
| For: | Services to the nation |
| Status: | Currently constituted |
| Head Title: | Sovereign |
| Head: | President of Nigeria |
| Grades: | Grand Commander (GCON) Commander (CON) Officer (OON) Member (MON) |
| Date: | 1964 (instituted) 1976 (redesigned) |
| Higher: | Order of the Federal Republic |
Nigeria became an independent country on 1 October 1960, and in 1963 became the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The republic instituted two national awards: the Order of the Niger and the Order of the Federal Republic.[1]
The two highest honours, the Grand Commander of 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 of the Order of the Niger.
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 of the award 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 | |
| 62 | Dosu Joseph | footballer | Sport | MON |