Flag of Nigeria
countryThe flag of Nigeria was adopted on October 1, 1960 to a design by Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi. Vertical triband. It uses 2 colours: green and white. The official proportions are 1:2.
Hoist
Ratio 1:2
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Nigeria |
|---|---|
| Country | Nigeria |
| Official Country Name | Federal Republic of Nigeria |
| Capital | Abuja |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Western Africa |
| ISO Country Code | NG / NGA |
| Internet Domain | .ng |
| Calling Code | +234 |
| Currency | Nigerian naira (NGN) |
| National Language(s) | English |
| Demonym | Nigerian |
| Area | 923,768 km² |
| Population | 238 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Nigeria |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | October 1, 1960 |
| First Used | 1960 |
| Current Version Adopted | October 1, 1960 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | Green, White |
| Designer | Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi |
| Design Type | Vertical triband |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Nigeria |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | #008751 | 0, 135, 81 | 100, 0, 40, 47 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Green colour | Represents the forests and the natural wealth of the country |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents peace and unity |
| Green bands | The agricultural richness of the land |
| White band | Peace — the design won a national competition entered by a 23-year-old student |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1960 | The design was first used |
| 1960-10-01 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 units (hoist) |
| Length | 2 units (fly) |
Nigeria Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Nigeria
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 66 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | October 1, 1960 |
| Oldest Version | 1960 |
| Designer | Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi |
| Most Common Color | Green |
| Similar Flags | Côte d\\\'Ivoire, Ireland, Italy |
| Unique Feature | Vertical triband |
Other vertical tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Nigeria
- The green-white-green design was chosen from nearly three thousand entries in a 1959 competition; the winning entry, by a student named Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, originally included a red sun that the judges removed.
- The simplicity is deliberate: no emblem, no lettering, no third colour, which makes it one of the cleanest national flags in Africa.
- The flag of Nigeria was officially adopted on October 1, 1960. It was designed by Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi.
- The flag in its present form is 66 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Vertical triband.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 54 national flags.
- The flag uses 2 colours: green and white.
- The green on the flag stands for the forests and the natural wealth of the country.
- The white on the flag stands for peace and unity.
- Green bands: The agricultural richness of the land.
- White band: Peace — the design won a national competition entered by a 23-year-old student.
- The design belongs to the "Vertical tricolour" family, shared with 27 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Côte d\\\'Ivoire, Ireland and Italy.
- Nigeria became independent on 1 October 1960 from the United Kingdom.
- Football is the national sport.
- The national animal is the eagle, which appears on the coat of arms.
- The national anthem is "Nigeria, We Hail Thee".
- The flag is flown everywhere on 1 October, Independence Day.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Nigeria
When was the flag of Nigeria adopted?
The flag of Nigeria was officially adopted on October 1, 1960.
What do the colours of the flag of Nigeria mean?
Green for the forests and the natural wealth of the country and white for peace and unity.
When did Nigeria gain independence?
Nigeria became independent on 1 October 1960 from the United Kingdom.
What is the national sport of Nigeria?
Football is the national sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Nigeria represent?
Green bands — The agricultural richness of the land. White band — Peace — the design won a national competition entered by a 23-year-old student.
Who designed the flag of Nigeria?
The flag was designed by Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi.
What are the proportions of the flag of Nigeria?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 54 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Nigeria?
The national anthem is "Nigeria, We Hail Thee".
When is the national day of Nigeria?
It falls on 1 October, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Nigeria?
The national animal is the eagle, which appears on the coat of arms.