Grand Commander of the 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

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.

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 qualitate and ex officio Commander in the Order of the Niger.

The Nigerians have followed the British example in the form and structure of the Order. There are also post-nominal letters for the members of the Order of the Niger.

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