The family of Taiwo Akinkunmi Michael, the man who designed Nigeria’s national flag, has decided to proceed with his burial after waiting a year for a promised state funeral that never materialised. Akinkunmi, affectionately known as “Mr Flag Man,” passed away at the age of 87 last year. His family has now opted to bury him this week in Oyo State, where he spent much of his life.
Despite the anticipation of a state funeral, Akinkunmi’s son, Akinwumi Akinkunmi, told the BBC in an interview that they have decided to move forward with the burial, funded by the Oyo State government. He expressed hope that his father would be remembered for his contribution to national unity through his iconic flag design.
Taiwo Akinkunmi’s journey to creating the Nigerian flag was as humble as the man himself. While studying electrical engineering in London, he stumbled upon a newspaper advert inviting designs for a new national flag ahead of Nigeria’s independence from the UK in October 1960. Compelled by patriotism, he submitted a simple design featuring vertical green-white-green stripes, which was chosen from around 3,000 entries.
Akinkunmi’s original design included a red sun surrounded by rays at the centre, symbolising divine protection. However, the committee opted for the plain green and white design we know today, awarding the then 23-year-old a prize of £100.
Born in Ibadan, now the capital of Oyo State, the life of Taiwo Akinkunmi was shaped by his experiences across Nigeria, where he lived in various regions due to his parents’ work. His flag design drew inspiration from Nigeria’s rich agricultural heritage, symbolised by the green stripes, while the white represented peace and unity.
Despite his significant contribution, Taiwo Akinkunmi lived much of his life in relative obscurity. It wasn’t until Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary that he was recognised among 50 distinguished Nigerians. Later, in 2014, following a campaign by an Oyo State politician, he was honoured with the title of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), one of Nigeria’s highest accolades.
After his death last year, a senator proposed that he be given a state burial, a motion that was successfully passed. However, plans for the funeral never progressed, leaving Akinkunmi’s family to bear the cost of preserving his body in a morgue for the past year. Despite receiving initial contact from the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), which had been tasked with organising the state funeral, no further communication was received.
The family, determined to honour Akinkunmi’s legacy, decided not to wait any longer. The Oyo State government stepped in to fund the burial rites, ensuring that “Mr Flag Man” receives the dignified farewell he deserves. Reflecting on his father’s character, Akinwumi Akinkunmi described him as a man of integrity who valued his reputation and was loved by many.