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Nigeria Flag: Meaning and History

Embroidered flag patch — Nigeria

History of the flag

In 1959, shortly before independence, a national competition was held to design Nigeria’s future flag.

Out of 2,870 submissions, the winning design came from a student, Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi.

What do the elements of the flag mean?

  • Represents the natural resources, agriculture, and the dense jungles that cover the country.

  • Symbolizes the Niger River that flows through the country. It is also the color of peace and unity.

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