Flag of Nigeria - Colours, Meaning, History 🇳🇬

The Nigerian flag is the national symbol of a country that is unique and beautiful. Although simple in design, the Nigerian flag carries a powerful message that defines the history of the Nigerian people. The flag of Nigeria was designed in 1959 during a contest and officially adopted on October 1st, 1960. The flag is comprised of three vertical stripes of the same dimensions. The bands at the left and right borders are green while the central one is white.

Table of Contents

• History of the Flag of Nigeria
• What is the meaning behind the colours of the Nigerian flag
• Interesting Facts about the Flag of Nigeria

History of the Flag of Nigeria

A young scholar, by the name of Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, designed the Nigerian flag in 1959. At the time, Taiwo was a 23-year-old student at the Norwich Technical College in London, England, when he came across an advertisement requesting submissions for the design of the new national flag of Nigeria. Taiwo’s original design contained a red radiating sun badge in the central white vertical stripe, with green vertical bands on either side. However, judges voted for the removal of the badge from the national flag, which has remained unchanged since its adaptation in 1959. The flag was first flown when Nigeria became independent from the United Kingdom on October 1st, 1960.

What is the meaning behind the colours of the Nigerian flag?

The Nigerian flag consists of two colors: green and white

a) Colours

Green represents the natural wealth

White symbolizes peace

Similar to most countries, Nigeria has specific ensigns for civil authorities. It features green and white bands in the canton, and a red field and naval vessels. There are several variations of the Nigerian flag, which includes the state flag, similar to the original design of the national flag but features a coat of arms at the center.

b) Shape

The shape and size of the Nigerian flag are determined by the following dimensions:

• A large flag should measure 1.2m in width and 2.4m in length.
• A medium flag should measure 0.9 meters by 1.8 meters.
• A small flag should measure 0.6 meters by 1.2 meters.

Interesting Facts about the Flag of Nigeria

• The flag was first officially flown on October 1, 1960, when Nigeria became an independent nation.
• The flag is a national symbol, an instrument of the state’s sovereignty and a representation of authority. The flag illustrates the history, vision, and ambitions of the Nigerian people.
• No emblem or flag should be placed or flown higher than the flag of Nigeria as a sign of ultimate respect.
• Whenever the flag is hoisted, it is accompanied by a ceremony at dawn (6:00 a.m.) and lowered the same way at sunset (6:00 p.m.).
• The flag is flown at half-mast as a sign of respect during memorial days or state funerals.
• During processions, the bearer of the flag is always positioned at the front and must be dressed appropriately. Also, if there are several flags, such as non-national and the Nigerian national flag, the latter should be at the front and placed higher than the rest.
• Displaying of the national flag on vehicles is reserved for special dignitaries only, and must be placed at the right fender of the car chassis or the radiator cap. These dignitaries include the president, the vice president, speaker of the house of representatives, senate president, state governors,  chief justice of the federation, etc.
• The Nigerian coat of arms and the flag ordinance of 1960 sets the rule governing the use of the national flag, and have made it illegal or unlawful to display or misuse the flag.
• Old, worn out and dirty flags should never be displayed out in public as this is considered a sign of dishonor to the country. Instead, they should be destroyed or changed immediately.
• The presidential flag, reserved for use by the president of Nigeria, differs from that used by the masses. The flag features the national triband with the coat of arms in the center as shown below.

Do you know any other interesting facts about the flag of Nigeria? Share your thoughts below.