The Nigerian Independence Medal was authorised by Queen Elizabeth II

Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...

 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 serving on the 1 October 1960 and to members of the United Kingdom Land Forces who were seconded to the Royal Nigerian Military Forces.

Description

• The circular cupro-nickel
  Cupronickel
  Cupronickel or copper-nickel or "cupernickel" is an alloy of copper that contains nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. Cupronickel is highly resistant to corrosion in seawater, because its electrode potential is adjusted to be neutral with regard to seawater...
  
   Nigerian Independence Medal features the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II
  Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
  Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
  
  .
• 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.