Those who are confused about the order of protocol in Nigeria do not need to worry, as an official government document has detailed it.
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In a document obtained on Saturday, titled “National Order of Precedence of Public Officers and Other Persons,” there is a long list of different categories of public officers and other persons that should be recognised with a clear hierarchy in place.
The order of protocol is expected to eliminate putting the cart before the horse in recognition of dignitaries, especially at public events.
The first to five on the order of protocol are the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and the Chief Justice of Nigeria respectively.
In order of appearance, others include former Presidents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; former Vice-Presidents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the Deputy President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Senators and Members of House of Representatives; and the Governors of the States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The listed protocols in order of appearance also comprised the President of the Court of Appeal and Justices of the Supreme Court; Ministers of Cabinet Rank of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the Deputy Governors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Ministers of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Ambassadors of Foreign Nations; former Senate Presidents; former Speakers of the House of Representatives; former Deputy Senate Presidents; and former Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives.
The order of appearance also consist of Retired Chief Justices of Nigeria; former Members of the National Assembly; former Elected Governors; former elected Deputy Governors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Special Advisers to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the Secretary to the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the Head of Service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly;
The list also comprised the Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and the Governor of the Central Bank of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the Service Chiefs; Inspector-General of the Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and the Justices of the Court of Appeal.
