The Federal Republic of Nigeria has instituted two orders of merit, the Order of the Federal Republic and the Order of the Niger after gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1960.
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. The Grand cordon or sash of the Grand Commander is embellished with four narrow golden stripes. The Military Division is recognizable by a narrow red stripe.
The order has four grades: