Back to: History Primary 5
Hello, my brilliant Afrilearn superstar! I hope you’re having a fantastic day. Have you ever wondered how Nigeria got its beautiful green and white flag? Just like your school has a flag, Nigeria also needed one when it was preparing for independence. Today, we will learn the amazing story of how a young Nigerian student designed the flag that represents our great nation. Let’s go!
1956 – Nigerian Flag Was Designed
Imagine your school announcing a competition for students to design a new school badge, and the winning design becomes the official badge forever. That’s exactly how the Nigerian flag was created! In 1956, as Nigeria was getting ready for independence, the government wanted a new national flag. So, they organised a flag design competition, and guess what? A young Nigerian student named Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi won! His design became the official Nigerian flag, and today, it is a proud symbol of our nation.
Before 1956, Nigeria was still under British rule, so the country used a British-style flag. But as Nigeria moved towards independence (which happened in 1960), it needed its own identity. The Nigerian government announced a national competition for a new flag design, and many people submitted their ideas.
Among all the entries, Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, a 23-year-old student from Ibadan, created a simple yet powerful design. His flag had:
- Green – Representing Nigeria’s rich agriculture and natural wealth
- White – Representing peace and unity
Originally, he included a red sun in the middle, but the judges decided to remove it, keeping the design simple. His design was selected as the winner, and in 1960, it officially became the Nigerian flag.
Significance of the Nigerian Flag
- Green: Stands for the country’s rich land and agricultural strength.
- White: Represents peace, unity, and harmony among Nigerians.
- Designed by a Nigerian: It was proudly created by one of our own, Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi.
- Symbol of Independence: It replaced the British flag when Nigeria became independent in 1960.
Think about how your school has a unique uniform and badge to show its identity. In the same way, Nigeria needed a flag that would show the world who we are. The government trusted young people like Taiwo Akinkunmi to come up with a design, and his simple but meaningful idea became the flag we proudly fly today.
Now, imagine winning a competition and your design being used by millions of people every day—exciting, right? That’s exactly what happened to Taiwo Akinkunmi! His flag became Nigeria’s identity, and today, we see it in schools, government offices, sports events, and even on Independence Day celebrations.
Conclusion:
In 1956, Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, a young Nigerian student, designed the Nigerian flag. His simple yet powerful design of green and white was chosen as the official flag, and it became a national symbol when Nigeria gained independence in 1960. The flag represents our country’s natural wealth (green) and unity (white), reminding us of the importance of peace and national pride.
Evaluation:
- Who designed the Nigerian flag, and in what year?
- What do the colours green and white on the Nigerian flag represent?
- Why was there a competition for a new flag design in 1956?
- What was originally in the middle of the flag but later removed?
- In which year did the Nigerian flag officially replace the British flag?
Wow! You are doing such an amazing job learning about Nigeria’s history! Remember, great leaders like you must know their country’s past to build a brighter future. Keep up the fantastic work, Afrilearn superstar! I can’t wait to see you in the next lesson. Keep shining!
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