Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi: The Student Who Gave Nigeria Its Flag 🇳🇬

Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi (10 May 1936 – 29 August 2023) was the Nigerian student whose simple sketch—three vertical bands of green–white–green—became one of Africa’s most recognizable national symbols. His design, selected on the eve of independence, distilled a young nation’s hopes into clean geometry and clear meaning.

Early life and education

Akinkunmi was closely associated with Ibadan, where he attended Baptist Day School and Ibadan Grammar School. He had roots in Owu, Abeokuta (Ogun State), a detail often mentioned alongside his Ibadan upbringing. Like many in his generation preparing for a modern civil service, he pursued further studies in the United Kingdom, enrolling at Norwood Technical College, London, to study electrical engineering.

The flag competition that changed his life

As Nigeria prepared for independence, authorities announced a national flag design competition (1958). While studying in London, Akinkunmi came across the call for entries—famously on a notice board—and submitted an idea that stood out for its clarity:

• Three equal vertical bands: green – white – green
• A small red sun originally appeared in the center but was dropped by the selection panel for a cleaner final mark.

His design was selected in 1959 and formally adopted on 1 October 1960, when the flag was raised at the Race Course in Lagos as the Union Jack was lowered. Akinkunmi received a £100 prize for the winning entry.

What the colours mean

• Green represents the land’s abundance—agriculture, forests, and natural wealth.
• White stands for peace and unity among Nigeria’s diverse peoples.

This direct symbolism, paired with a minimalist layout, explains why the flag has endured unchanged and is instantly legible on the world stage.

Civil service, honours, and later years

After his studies, Akinkunmi returned to public service in the Western Region (later Oyo State) civil service, where he worked quietly for decades. In recognition of his contribution to nationhood, he was awarded the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and, in 2014, was appointed a Special Assistant with a government salary—formal gestures acknowledging the scale and longevity of his gift.

Akinkunmi passed away on 29 August 2023, aged 87. Public tributes praised the humility of a man whose work millions salute daily.

Why his design endures

• Simplicity: easy to reproduce accurately, from school walls to Olympic arenas.
• Symbolic clarity: agriculture and peace are foundational national aspirations.
• Unity: a single emblem shared by hundreds of ethnicities and languages.

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Quick timeline

• 1958 — National competition for a new flag announced
• 1959 — Akinkunmi’s design selected (red sun removed)
• 1 Oct 1960 — Flag adopted at independence, Lagos
• 2014 — National honour (OFR) and appointment as Special Assistant
• 2023 — Passed away at 87

Key facts (at a glance)

• Full name: Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi (OFR)
• Born/Died: 10 May 1936 — 29 Aug 2023
• Education: Norwood Technical College, London (electrical engineering)
• Profession: Civil servant (Western Region / Oyo State)
• Flag: Vertical green–white–green, equal bands; ratio 1:2; no emblem in the national flag