Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi’s - Nigeria Flag Designer
The journey of one of Nigeria's most cherished figures, "Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi", has finally reached its end. After a year long wait, the man who gifted Nigeria its most iconic symbol the green and white flag was laid to rest in Ibadan, Oyo State. It's hard not to pause and reflect on the impact of such a quiet, yet powerful legacy.
The love of the flag is more for this section it being a symbol of unity and identity, not simply an ordinary piece of cloth most Nigerians may know only from news reports. And for the principal mind behind it as a young man back in 1959, Akinkunmi knew his creation inspired national pride he would feel throughout ever changing hills and valleys of life. His hometown burial service was much more than an introduction. But it was the life being celebrated that had been a gentle kindergarten & 156;est within our national soul. And still is, helpless and muzzled or not & dquo
Ibadan came alive with tributes, memories, and reflections from those who knew him, as well as many who didn’t but admired his contribution to Nigeria. The weight of the occasion wasn't lost on anyone present. The green and white that he first sketched out so many years ago fluttered not just in the breeze, but in the hearts of those paying their respects.
What stands out about Akinkunmi’s life is its quiet humility. He wasn't someone who sought out recognition or fanfare. His story, though monumental, is one of simplicity—a young man, a design competition, and a flag that would forever symbolize a nation's spirit. And while his life is now being memorialized, his true legacy lives on in the flag that waves high above us every day.
It’s moments like these that make us reflect on the symbols we often take for granted. A simple design, yet so much meaning behind it. And as Nigeria continues its journey, Akinkunmi’s creation will remain one of the most enduring symbols of hope, unity, and national pride.