Taiwo Akinkunmi: Nigerian Flag Designer Finally Laid To Rest

Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, the man renowned for designing Nigeria’s national flag in 1958, was a civil servant and an electrical engineer. His contribution to Nigeria’s identity has left an indelible mark on the nation.

Pa Taiwo’s design of the national symbol was one of the most significant achievements of his life. He was often recognized whenever the national flag was hoisted, symbolizing his lasting legacy.

His name has appeared in numerous journals, school debates, and other publications. Sadly, his journey ended on August 29, 2023, when he passed away after a brief illness.

The Federal Government of Nigeria had promised to give Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi a befitting burial, but that promise was not fulfilled. His body remained unburied for a year until his family finally decided to lay him to rest.

On September 6, 2024, exactly one year after his death, Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi was buried in his hometown of Ibadan, Oyo State. The Oyo State government stepped in to assist the family, ensuring he received a burial ceremony fitting of his status.

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Taiwo Akinkunmi Biography and Early Life

Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi was born on May 10, 1936, in Ibadan, Oyo State. He passed away on August 29, 2023, at the age of 87, after a brief illness. He was the elder of a set of twins and the sole survivor at the time of his passing. While growing up, Pa Taiwo lived with his parents in Northern Nigeria but later relocated to the West, where he pursued his education.

He attended Baptist Day School, Idi-Ikan in Ibadan for his primary education and later enrolled at Ibadan Grammar School in 1950 for his secondary education. Five years after leaving Ibadan Grammar School, Taiwo Akinkunmi secured a job as an agriculturist at the Western Region Secretariat in Ibadan.

During his civil service career, he pursued further studies in electrical engineering. He gained admission to Norwood Technical College, now known as Lambeth College, in London. It was during his time at Norwood that he designed Nigeria’s national flag.

After completing his studies, he returned to Nigeria and resumed his role as a civil servant. In 1994, he was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Agriculture. In the same year, he was honored with the title of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and appointed an honorary life presidential adviser at the Abuja Conference Centre.

Taiwo Akinkunmi was highly respected for his achievements, particularly for designing the national flag, a symbol that has become an integral part of Nigeria’s identity.

Taiwo Akinkunmi’s Design of Nigeria’s Flag

Two years before Nigeria gained independence, Taiwo Akinkunmi was still studying at Norwood Technical College when he participated in a competition to design the country’s national flag. The competition sought a compelling symbol for the emerging nation. His design was selected as the winner in 1958.

In his words, “I studied the requirements for designing a flag that would represent a country on the verge of independence. I entered the competition, and my design was chosen as the best in 1958.”

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Personal Life

Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi was married and is survived by three children: Akinremi, Folake Oloyede, and Akinwumi. Even before his passing, Taiwo Akinkunmi faced hardships. Many promises made to him by the Nigerian government remained unfulfilled.

Despite his contributions to the nation, he only received empty assurances. Nevertheless, he managed to build the house where he and his family lived, a testament to his resilience in the face of neglect.