The state flag of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is an integral symbol of the country, along with its anthem and coat of arms. It was solemnly raised for the first time in 1960.
Description and proportions of the flag of Nigeria
The rectangular flag of Nigeria has two colors. It is divided into three vertical stripes of equal width, the middle of which is applied in white, and the two outer ones in green. The proportion of the ratio of the width of the flag to its length is 2: 3.
The green color of the flag of Nigeria symbolizes its forest wealth, and the white field reminds of the importance of peace for the development of the country and the heavy price that peaceful life went to this state.
The naval flag of Nigeria is a white rectangle. The upper quarter of the navy flag, closest to the flagpole, bears the image of the national flag of Nigeria. The right half of the white field contains an oval-shaped blue emblem enclosed in a gold frame. On the blue field of the emblem there is a white anchor, on which there is a standing red eagle. This bird serves as a symbol of the Nigerians and is also depicted on the national emblem of the country.
Nigeria has access to the sea and, like any maritime power, also has a merchant fleet. The flag of the Nigeria merchant fleet looks like a rectangular red cloth. In its upper quarter, at the base, there is the national three-stripe flag of the country.
History of the flag of Nigeria
During the colonial rule of Great Britain, the flag of Nigeria was a rectangular blue cloth, the top quarter of which at the base was occupied by the flag of Great Britain. On the right half of the blue cloth, the emblem of Nigeria was applied, which looked like a green hexagonal star. In the center of its two crossed triangles was the royal crown, made in white. The six-pointed star became a symbol of colonial Nigeria thanks to the first governor of the country, who saw her image on one of the jugs belonging to the Emir of Contagora.
In 1960, Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule, and officially adopted the new flag. The author of the project was student Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, whose version suggested, in addition to three vertical stripes on the panel, the sun, applied to a white field. The jury accepted his design, excluding the image of the sun, and the Nigeria flag has not been changed since 1960.
