Monsurat
Taiwo Akinkunmi is a Nigerian civil servant who is best known for designing the national flag of Nigeria. He created the flag in 1958, featuring two green stripes flanking a white stripe.
Akinkunmi was born on May 10, 1936, in Ibadan, Nigeria. He is originally from Owu in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He attended Ibadan Grammar School and later studied electrical engineering at Norwood Technical College in London, where he got the idea for the flag’s design.
The flag’s design was inspired by a conversation with his college friends about national symbols. He combined the green color to represent Nigeria’s lush vegetation and agricultural industry, while the white symbolizes peace.
Akinkunmi submitted the flag design to a national government to select a new flag for the country ahead of its independence from British colonial rule. His design was chosen as the winning entry out of about 2,000 submissions. It was selected as the national flag on October 1, 1960, the same day Nigeria gained independence. He was awarded 100 pounds by the government when his design was selected.
He worked as a civil servant until 1994. In 2014, Akinkunmi was honored with Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). He unveiled the world’s largest national flag in Ibadan in 2021.
Akinkunmi’s design remains an enduring symbol of Nigeria’s unity and independence. The flag is proudly displayed at various official events, institutions, and public spaces across the country.
Akinkunmi lived a humble and private life. Unfortunately, “The Flag Man”, as he is fondly called, died on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at the age of 87.
His son, Akinkunmi Samuel, confirmed his death on Facebook. “Life is indeed transient; I can say boldly you live a life with a landmark. Continue to rest on, my father! Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi (O.F.R) Great Man has gone.”
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