Five Facts You May Not Know About The Nigerian Flag

October 1, 2024

4 minute read

It’s Nigeria Independence Day and a time to go back and reflect on the struggle for freedom and what truly makes us special, here is everything you need to know about the Nigerian flag following the country emergence as an Indeendent natiion.

On 1 October 1960, Nigeria was granted full independence from Great Britain following the long colonial era in the country. Nigeria received its Freedom Charter from Princess Alexandra of Kent, the Queen’s representative at the Nigerian independence ceremony.

Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa announced the country’s independence in his speech at what was then known as the ‘Race Course’, alongside Princess Alexandria and Sir James Robertson on October 1, 1960.

When Nigeria gained independence in 1960 a new green-white-green tricolour flag was adopted. Designed by Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, the green stripes represent the wealth in the country and the white band represents peace.

Beyond this, there are lesser-known facts about the Nigeria flag. See below New Telegraph compilation of the history surrounding the Nigerian Flag.

Five Facts About The Nigerian Flag

It will be interesting to know that the Nigerian Green White Green flag was designed by a student, Taiwo Akinkunmi, in 1959. Mr Akinkunmi decided to enter a competition which he came across in a library for the best Nigerian flag design and won.

In his own words, he said, “I took details of what is [to be] expected to design a flag that would be used by a country that was about to witness [its] independence. I took part in the competition and my design was selected as the best in the year 1958.”

In 2021, Akinkunmi unveiled the world’s largest national flag in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Nigeria Had No Flag In The 17 Century

Nigeria was without national flags in the late 17th century. However, in 1914, after the amalgamation of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate and Northern Nigeria Protectorate, Lord Lugard chose a British blue ensign with a green hexagram described as the Zionist-like Star of David surrounding the royal crown with the white word “Nigeria” under it on a red disc as the flag of the Nigerian Protectorate.

The Flag Had A Red Quarter Sun At Center

The national planning committee which set a competition to select a national flag was established in 1958. In 1959, out of almost 3,000 entries, Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi won the competition with an equal green-white-green with a red quarter sun on the white stripe.

After acceptance, the committee removed the red-quarter sun. The accepted flag now consists of a vertical bicolour green-white-green; the green stand for agriculture and white stand for unity and peace.

The Flag Has Been Flown To The Moon

In 1978, the Nigerian flag was carried to the moon by astronaut Charles Duke during the Apollo 17 mission. This was a source of pride to Nigeria as it showcased Nigeria to the global community.

The flag which is a symbol of unity and independence brought the fulfillment of the shared Joy that comes with sacrifice and dedication.

5. The Flag Was Raised For The First Time By David Ejoor

On 1 October 1960, the Nigeria flag came into effect as the first official flag of an independent Nigeria and was raised for the first time in a ceremony by Lieutenant David Ejoor.

He was a Nigerian military officer who served as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at that time.

Revolution Of Nigeria Flag

The colonial flag of Nigeria was adopted in 1914 following the amalgamation of Southern Nigeria and Northern Nigeria, The flag was not universally accepted.

In 1959, prior to Nigerian independence, a competition to design a new flag was held with Taiwo Akinkunmi designing the new flag of Nigeria which replaced the colonial flag in 1960.