Order of the Niger
| Order of the Niger | |
|---|---|
 Star and ribbon of the 2 divisions | |
Awarded by  Nigeria | |
| Type | Order |
| Awarded for | Services to the nation |
| Status | Currently constituted |
| Sovereign | President of Nigeria |
| Grades | Grand 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 | |
The Order of the Niger (OON) is the second highest national award in Nigeria.[1] It was instituted in 1963 and is junior to the Order of the Federal Republic, the highest order of merit in the country.
Award
[edit]The two highest honours, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR), and Grand Commander in the Order of the Niger(GCON), are awarded to the president and vice-president, respectively. The presiding judge in the Supreme Court and the chairman of the Senate are, respectively, a qualitative and ex officio Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.
Grades
[edit]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.
- 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 has a Civil Division and a Military Division. The ribbon of the latter division has a small red line in the middle.
Notable recipients
[edit]Notable recipients of the award include:[2][3][4]
| S/NO | NAMES | STATUS | Sector | Class of medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme | Former Vice President of Nigeria | Public | GCON |
| 2 | Aliko Dangote | Chairman of Dangote Group | Private | GCON |
| 3 | Aloma Mariam Mukhtar | Former Justice of the Supreme Court | Public | GCON |
| 4 | Atiku Abubakar | Former Vice President of Nigeria | Public | GCON |
| 5 | Babafemi Ogundipe | Former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters | Public | GCON |
| 6 | Bello Maitama Yusuf | Former Internal Affairs Minister | Public | GCON |
| 7 | Dahiru Musdapher | Former Justice of the Supreme Court | Public | GCON |
| 8 | Emeka Anyaoku | Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth | Public | GCON |
| 9 | Godswill Akpabio | President of the 10th Nigerian Senate | Public | GCON |
| 10 | Goodluck Ebele Jonathan | Former Vice President and President of Nigeria | Public | GCON |
| 11 | Kashim Shettima | Current Vice President of Nigeria | Public | GCON |
| 12 | Kudirat Kekere-Ekun | Chief Justice of Nigeria | Public | GCON |
| 13 | Namadi Sambo | Former Vice President of Nigeria | Public | GCON |
| 14 | Narendra Modi | Prime Minister of India | Public | GCON |
| 15 | Wole Soyinka | Recipient of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature | Academia | GCON |
| 16 | Yemi Osinbajo, SAN | Former Vice President of Nigeria | Public | GCON |
| 17 | Abba Kyari | Former Governor North Central State | Public | CON |
| 18 | Adams Oshiomhole | Former Governor, Edo State and Senator, Edo North Central | Public | CON |
| 19 | Afe Babalola, SAN | Founder of Afe Babalola University, Senior Advocate of Nigeria | Private | CON |
| 20 | Ahmad Muhammad Sani II | Emir of Gumel | Public | CON |
| 21 | Akin Mabogunje | Geographer Consultant and First African President of the International Geographical Union | Private and Public | CON |
| 22 | Atedo Peterside | Founder, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Anap Business Jets Limited, and The Atedo N. A. Peterside Foundation | Private | CON |
| 23 | Bala Muhammed | Governor of Bauchi State | Public | CON |
| 24 | Bukar Abba Ibrahim | Former Governor of Yobe State | Public | CON |
| 25 | Chukwuemeka Ezeife | Former Governor Anambra State | Public | CON |
| 26 | Da. John Putmang Hirse | Traditional Ruler, Miskaham Mwaghavul | Public | CON |
| 27 | Emeka Okwuosa | Chairman/GCEO, OilServ Limited | Private | CON |
| 28 | Ezenwo Nyesom Wike | Former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Federal Capital Territory | Public | CON |
| 29 | Francesca Yetunde Emanuel | Former Permanent Secretary, Public Service Department of the Cabinet Office | Public | CON |
| 30 | Ibrahim Shehu Shema | Former Governor of Katsina State | Public | CON |
| 31 | Isiaka Adeleke | Former Governor, Osun State, and former Senator, Osun West | Public | CON |
| 32 | John Odigie Oyegun | Former Governor, Edo State | Public | CON |
| 33 | Lam Adesina | Former Governor of Oyo State | Public | CON |
| 34 | Liyel Imoke | Former Governor, Cross River State | Public | CON |
| 35 | Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu | Former Governor of Niger State | Public | CON |
| 36 | Oba Otudeko | Founder and chairman of the Honeywell Group and Oba Otudeko Foundation | Private | CON |
| 37 | Olusegun Agagu | Former Governor of Ondo State, and renowned Geologist | Public | CON |
| 38 | Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa | Former Governor of Kaduna State | Public | CON |
| 39 | Peter Gregory Obi | Former Governor, Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate | Public | CON |
| 40 | Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) | Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy | Public | CON |
| 41 | Rotimi Amaechi | Former Governor of Rivers State and Former Minister of Transportation | Public | CON |
| 42 | Rufus Ada George | Former Governor, Rivers State | Public | CON |
| 43 | Stephen Keshi | Football coach, 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final winner | Sport | CON |
| 44 | Sule Lamido | Former Governor, Jigawa State | Public | CON |
| 45 | Sunday Dare | Former Minister of Youth and Sports | Public | CON |
| 46 | Tony Elumelu | Philanthropist | Private | CON |
| 47 | Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN | Former Senate Leader, Senior Advocate of Nigeria | Public | CON |
| 48 | Abike Kafayat Oluwatoyin Dabiri-Erewa | Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission | Public | OON |
| 49 | Bashir Ahmad | Former Personal Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media | Public | OON |
| 50 | Charles Okpaleke | Nigerian businessman and film producer | Private | OON |
| 51 | Chief Erhabor Ogieva Emokpae | Former National Artist of Nigeria | Public | OON |
| 52 | Chief H.T.O. Coker | Private Attorney in Admiralty, Energy and Aviation Law | Private | OON |
| 53 | David Adedeji Adeleke | Singer, songwriter, record producer | Entertainment | OON |
| 54 | Dr. F.B.A. Coker | Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, businessman and Chairman of Victoria Island Consultancy and Hospital Services | Private | OON |
| 55 | Gabriel Ogbechie | Founder GMD, Rainoil Limited | Private | OON |
| 56 | Iyin Aboyeji | Former CEO, Flutterwave & Co-founder, Andela | Private | OON |
| 57 | Iyorwuese Hagher | Former Minister of State for Health/Power and Steel, and Ambassador to Mexico and High Commissioner to Canada | Public | OON |
| 58 | Joe Abbah | Former Director General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms | Public | OON |
| 59 | Joseph Yobo | Footballer, 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final winner | Sport | OON |
| 60 | Kayode Ajulo, SAN | Lawyer, arbitrator & civil rights activist | Private | OON |
| 61 | Kingsley Moghalu | Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Political Economist | Public | OON |
| 62 | Maj Gen Bitrus Vandos Themoi Kwaji | Major General of the Nigerian Army (Retd.) | Public | OON |
| 63 | Nimi Briggs | Emeritus Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Former Vice Chancellor, University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State | Public | OON |
| 64 | Owen Omogiafo | President/GCEO, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) | Private | OON |
| 65 | Sani Umar Rijiyar Lemo, Bashir Aliyu Umar | Salafism Preacher in Nigeria | Private | OON |
| 66 | Sheikh Muhammad Salih Bashir | Religious Leader | Private | OON |
| 67 | Stella Oduah | Former Minister of Aviation | Public | OON |
| 68 | Tobi Amusan | World, Commonwealth and African champion of the 100 meters hurdles | Sport | OON |
| 69 | Victor Olaiya | Renowned Musician, and Trumpeter | Private | OON |
| 70 | Asisat Oshoala | Athlete | Sport | MON |
| 71 | Dosu Joseph | Footballer | Sport | MON |
| 72 | Efe Ambrose | Footballer | Sport | MON |
| 73 | 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 | Footballers, 2023 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up | Sport | MON |
| 74 | Habeeb Okunola | CEO, TILT Group | Private | MON |
| 75 | Joseph Oqua Ansa | Former Senator, Cross River South | Public | MON |
| 76 | K1 De Ultimate | Fuji Musician | Entertainment | MON |
| 77 | Mohammed Badaru Abubakar | Minister of Defence, Former Governor of Jigawa State | Public | MON |
| 78 | Orji Uzor Kalu | Senator representing Abia North, Former Governor of Abia State | Public | MON |
| 79 | Teniola Apata | Singer, Songwriter and Entertainer | Private | MON |
| 80 | Vincent Enyeama, Elderson Echiéjilé, Nwankwo Obiora, Efe Ambrose, Ahmed Musa, Brown Ideye, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Emmanuel Emenike, Mikel John Obi, Victor Moses, Reuben Gabriel, Fegor Ogude, Godfrey Oboabona, Austin Ejide, Ikechukwu Uche, Ogenyi Onazi, Ejike Uzoenyi, Sunday Mba, Nosa Igiebor, Juwon Oshaniwa, Kenneth Omeruo, Chigozie Agbim | Footballers, 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final winners | Sport | MON |
References
[edit]- ^ "National Honours Act" (PDF). Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 April 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "List of Nominees For National Award – 2022" (PDF). Premium Times. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- ^ "FULL LIST: Okonjo-Iweala, Abba Kyari... FG nominates 437 persons for national honours". TheCable. 2022-10-02. Retrieved 2022-10-13.