The Nigerian Independence Medal was authorised by
Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of the granting of independence to Nigeria to give recognition to individuals of the Royal Nigerian Military Forces, Royal Nigerian Navy and the
Nigeria Police Force
The Nigeria Police Force is the principal law enforcement and the lead security agency in Nigeria. Designated by the 1999 constitution as the national police of Nigeria with exclusive jurisdiction throughout the country, as at 2016 it has a s ...
serving on 1 October 1960 and to members of the
British Army
The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurk ...
who were seconded to the Royal Nigerian Military Forces.
Description
* The circular
cupro-nickel
Cupronickel or copper-nickel (CuNi) is an alloy of copper that contains nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. The copper content typically varies from 60 to 90 percent. (Monel is a nickel-copper alloy that contains a minimu ...
Nigerian Independence Medal features the crowned effigy of
Queen Elizabeth II.
* The reverse of the medal depicts the Nigerian Coat of Arms and the inscription ''Nigeria Independence, 1st October 1960''.
* The ribbon has a three vertical stripes, green, white and green.
Notable recipients
*
Emmanuel E Ikwue
Emmanuel E Ikwue (born 6 June 1940) was Nigerian Air Force's Chief of the Air Staff from 1969 to 1975. Brigadier Ikwue was the fifth Commander of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the third indigenous to hold the post. Appointed in December 1969, he w ...
*
Hassan Katsina
Hassan Usman Katsina (31 March 1933 – 24 July 1995), titled Chiroman Katsina, was the last Governor of Northern Nigeria. He served as Chief of Army Staff during the Nigerian Civil War and later became the Deputy Chief of Staff, Supreme Headqua ...
References
{{reflist, refs=
[{{London Gazette , issue=42156 , date=30 September 1960 , page=6616 ]
Orders, decorations, and medals of Nigeria
Military awards and decorations of the United Kingdom
Awards established in 1960