Nigeria Flag

Nigeria's flag has three equal vertical stripes: green, white, green. The design is one of the simplest on the African continent — no emblem, no additional colours. Green represents Nigeria's rich forests and agricultural wealth; white represents peace and unity.

The proportions are 1:2. The absence of any coat of arms or emblem reflects the desire for a clean, unambiguous national symbol at independence.

The flag was designed by Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, a 23-year-old Nigerian student studying in London, who submitted it to a competition held by the colonial government ahead of independence. His design was chosen from over 2,500 entries but with the original red sun emblem in the centre removed.

Nigeria gained independence from Britain on 1 October 1960, and the green-white-green flag was raised for the first time. It remains unchanged today, making it one of Africa's most enduring flag designs.