Types of National Honour Awards in Nigeria: Full List

The Federal Republic of Nigeria has a system of honorary award that recognizes persons for a range of functions and their service to the country. The national awards of Nigeria are given by the federal government to individuals for their remarkable service or accomplishment in a variety of sectors.

Many categories such as Civilian Awards, Gallantry Awards, Sports Awards, Literature Awards, and Peace and Leadership Awards, are used to categorize these honors. National honor awards are given to both citizens and non-citizens of Nigeria each year by the federal government. To learn more about Nigeria’s national honors bestowed upon outstanding individuals from the highest to the lowest awards, keep reading.

FULL LIST OF NATIONAL HONOURS AND AWARDS IN NIGERIA

Here are the several types of national honors and awards given in Nigeria today

ORDER OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC

The Order of the Federal Republic is among the two known senior  orders of dignity in Nigeria. It was established in 1963 by the federal government. The following are the awards given under this category.

GRAND COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC (GCFR)

GCFR is the highest national honour award in Nigeria which is conferred by the Order of the Republic to the individuals as the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic. It is often given to ex-military leaders and former constitutionally elected presidents of Nigeria.

The following are recipients of the GCFR award till date:

• Shehu Shagari
• Abdulsalami Abubakar
• Ibrahim Babangida
• Goodluck Jonathan
• Moshood Abiola
• Muammar Gaddafi
• Muhammadu Buhari
• Nelson Mandela
• Nnamdi Azikiwe
• Obafemi Awolowo
• Olusegun Obasanjo
• Queen Elizabeth II
• Sani Abacha
• Umaru Musa Yar’Adua
• Ernest Shonekan

COMMANDER OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC (CFR)

The national honour award of the Commander of the Federal Republic is given to top citizens who have made great strides in the country.

The following are recipients of the CFR award till date:

• Sultan Muhammadu Maccido
• Sultan Sa’adu Abubakar
• Jim Ovia
• Emir of Zazzau Ahmad Bamalli
• Alwali Kazir
• Aminu Tambuwal
• Clement Isong
• Daniel Aladesanmi II
• Mohammed Bello Adoke
• Victoria Gowon
• Yahaya Abubakar
• Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
• Abubakar Gumi
• Orodje Of Okpe Kingdom, Orhue
• Tony Elumelu
• Femi Gbajabiamila
• Ovie Omo-Agege
• Boss Mustapha
• Yakubu Dogara
• Abba kyari
• Folashede Yemi-Esan
• Justice Kudirat MO Kekere-Ekun
• Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad
• Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem
• Justice Ayo Salami
• Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru
• Lt. Gen. Lamidi O. Adeosun (Rtd)
• Gen. Lucky E.O. Irabor
• Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya
• Air Marshal Oladayo Amao
• Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo
• Gen. Gabriel Abayomi Olonisakin
• Lt. Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai
• Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas
• Hon Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi
• Air Mashal Sadique Abubakar
• Mohammed Abubakar Adamu
• Mr. Usman Alkali Baba
• Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd)
• Alh. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar
• Yusuf Magaji Bichi
• HM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II
• HM Omo N’Oba E’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II
• His Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero
• HRH Ahmed Nuhu Bamali
• HRH Prof. James Ortese Ayatse
• HRH Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III
• HRH Alh. Muhammadu Ibn Abali Muhammad Idrissa
• Da. Jacob Gyang Buba
• HRH Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I (JSC Rtd)
• HM King Dandeson Douglas JAJA
• HRM Oba Gabriel Adejuwon
• HM Oba (Dr) Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi Odundun II
• HRH Oba Babatunde Adewale-Ajayi
• His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr) Solomon Daniel Etuk, JP
• HRM Ogiame Atuwatse III
• HRM Igwe Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu
• HRM King Alfred Diete-Spiff
• HRM Eze (Dr) E.C. Okeke
• HRM Eze Joseph Ndubuisi Nwabeke
• HRM Eze Charles N. Nkpuma
• Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd)
• Solomon Ehigiator Arase
• Sir Dr. Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu
• Mr. jim Ovia
• Chief Oluwole Olanipekun
• Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu
• Dr. Eruani Azibapu Godbless
• Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihu Magashi (Rtd)

OFFICER OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC (OFR)

This award is also conferred to those that are outstanding in their respective fields, most especially philanthropists.

Here are the recipients awarded with the OFR national honours:

• Afe Babalola
• Dahiru Usman Bauchi
• Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
• Ayo Oritsejafor
• Babatunde Jose
• Buhari Bala
• Christopher E. Abebe
• Archbishop Ignatius Ayau KAIGAMA
• Grace Alele-Williams
• Idris Legbo Kutigi
• Innocent Umezulike
• Magaji muhammed
• Hon Justice Ibrahim Auta Ndahi
• Muhammad Indimi
• Umaru Baba
• Lere Paimo
• Shettima Mustapha
• Kawu Sumaila
• S. A. Ajayi
• Adesoye J.Omololu
• Taiwo Akinkunmi
• Tijjani Muhammad-Bande
• Julius Rone
• Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua

MEMBER OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC (MFR)

Recipients of the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic are mainly citizens that have boosted the image of the country positively nationally and internationally. They include:

• Tony Elumelu
• Albatan Yerima Balla
• Kofoworola Ademola
• Lere Paimo
• Genevieve Nnaji
• Susanne Wenger
• Omotola Ekeinde
• Olu Jacobs
• Osita Iheme
• Mathew Benabafa Seiyefa
• Ibrahim Likita Mashi
• HRH Alhaji Sule Bawa
• Col. Andrawus Pillasar Sawa
• Brig. Gen. Dzarma Kennedy Zirkushu
• Benjamin Okoko
• Dr. Hannatu Fika Adamu
• Dr. Hamidu Mohammed
• Saleh Abubakar
• Prof Sani Abubakar Lugga
• Tijjani Yahaya Kaura
• Col. Bala Mande (Rtd)
• Mrs. Comfort Nwobu
• Lady Eno Bassey
• Evang. Blessing Bassey
• Prof Adebayo M. A. Ninalowo
• Dr. Gloria Laraba Shoda
• Cardinal Dr. James O. Odunmbaku
• Ogunesan Hannah Oluwumi
• Mr. Ajibola Akindele
• DIG Sanusi N. Lemu
• DIG Joseph O. Egbunike
• Ag. CGIS Isah Jere Idris
• Isiaka Abdulmumini Haliru
• Anthonia Ifeoma Opara
• Talatu Mairo Isa
• Elton Irene Edorhe
• Bashir Adewale Adeniyi
• Haliru Nababa
• Ahmad Muhammadu Tukur
• Amb. Demenongo Apollonius
• Amb. Kim Solomon AMIEYEOFORI

ORDER OF THE NIGER

The Order of the Niger is indeed one of the formed Orders in Nigeria. The 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), and Member of the Order of the Niger are the four levels of this Order (MON).

GRAND COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE NIGER (GCON)

This award is under the category of the Order of the Nigeria and its among the highest national honour that is typically given to former vice presidents, former chiefs of general staff, the Nigerian Chief Justice, and the president of the Senate of Nigeria during their initial year in office.

The following are recipients of the GCON national honour award till date:

• Adetokunbo Ademola
• Shehu Musa Yar’Adua
• Alex Ekwueme
• Aliko Dangote
• Atiku Abubakar
• Bello Maitama Yusuf
• Goodluck Jonathan
• Idris Legbo Kutigi
• Mike Adenuga
• Mike Akhigbe
• Murtala Nyako
• Namadi Sambo
• Yemi Osinbajo
• Anyim Pius Anyim
• Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
• Amina J. Mohammed
• Sen. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan
• Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad
• Justice Olukayode Ariwoola

COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE NIGER (CON)

The Nigerian Supreme Court Justices are typically given the Commander of the Order of Niger (CON). This honor is also given to Nigerians who have rendered notable services and made enormous valuable contribution to the country’s growth.

OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF THE NIGER (OON)

MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF THE NIGER (MON)

The recipients of the national award of MON are:

• Imam Abdullahi Abubakar
• HRM Eze Isaac Ikonne
• Chief Silva Ejeh Ameh
• Alh. Kamoru Ibitoye Yusuf
• Mallam Ibrahim Okposi
• Alhaji Shehu Othman

MEDALS

These are mostly given to officers of the armed forces or any other uniform personnel in Nigeria after fulfilling some outstanding roles to the country. They are mostly grouped into six but we broke them according to the military and police:

• Forces Service Star (FSS)
• Grand Service Star (GSS)
• Distinguished Service Star (DSS)
• Meritorious Service Star (MSS)
• Command Medal of Honour (CMH)
• Command Medal (CM)

HONOURS (ARMED FORCES) WARRANT

Selected members of the armed services, which include the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and Nigerian Air Force, are given this kind of national honor. It is granted to those who have upheld exemplary behaviour while performing their jobs as well as those who have displayed bravery and heroism in the face of Nigerian state adversaries. Armed forces troops who were nominated by their superior officers are the only ones who can get these service awards.

THE NIGERIA STAR

This acknowledged military medal known as the Nigeria Star is given to Nigerian military personnel who have bravely defended their country against its adversaries. Even in their final moments, those of the armed services who distinguished themselves through notable acts of valour and commitment in battle against Nigeria’s adversaries should be given the Nigeria Star.

THE RIVER NIGER STAR

Armed forces officers who displayed valor in conflicts with the Nigerian state’s adversaries are given the River Niger Star.

THE RIVER BENUE STAR

The River Benue Star is given exclusively to commissioned military personnel who displayed valor while doing their responsibilities.

THE NIGERIA EAGLE

Armed services non-commissioned officers who exhibit exceptional gallantry in the face of a state enemy are given the Nigeria Eagle honorary award.

THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL

The Distinguished Service Medal may be given to a non-commissioned member of the armed forces who performed a noteworthy act of heroism while serving their country.

THE LOYAL SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL

Armed services personnel who have rendered long-term service to the country and upheld moral character throughout that time are given the Loyal Service and Good Conduct Medal. Obviously it depends on whether a person is commissioned or non-commissioned, the amount of time spent serving in the military that qualifies them for this medal is either twelve or sixteen years.

THE FORCES SERVICE STAR

The Forces Service Star medal is given to military personnel who have completed twelve years of color service and who have also displayed exceptional conduct throughout their time.

HONOURS (POLICE) WARRANT

Personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigeria Special Constabulary who shown eminent acts of bravery and admirable behavior while doing their responsibilities are eligible for the honours (police) warrant, a type of national honor medal.

THE NIGERIA POLICE STAR

Officers of the Nigeria Police Force who displayed courage while performing their duty of defending people and property are given the Nigeria Police Star, a medal of the Honour (Police) Warrant.

THE MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL

Members of the Nigerian Police Force who might have displayed outstanding conduct, exceptional competence, and rendered long-term, devoted service to the service are given this medal.

THE SPECIAL CONSTABULARY MEDAL

Members of the Nigeria Special Constabulary who have rendered uninterrupted service to the force for nine years without compensation are eligible for the Special Constabulary Medal.

THE LONG SERVICE MEDAL

All Senior Police Officers in the Nigerian Police Force are given this medal called Long Service. Particularly those who have demonstrated exceptional character during their twelve years of consistent devotion to the police. Additionally, to be considered for the Long Service Medal, a police officer must have served for twelve years without receiving a disciplinary action below the rank of Cadet Superintendent of Police. Officers of the Nigerian Police Force who received six or fewer penalties in the six years prior to the recommendation of this honor and who received nothing more than six punishments during the course of their service in the force are also qualified for the Long Service Medal.

CONCLUSION

National honors are distinctions that are formally bestowed upon individuals in recognition of their contributions to the progress of the country. People receive these honors to convey to them the appreciation the country has for their accomplishments. The list of various national honor awards presented in Nigeria was emphasized in this article with our reference from wikipedia.