When was the Nigeria flag designed?

Analyze the question: This asks for the year the Nigerian national flag was designed. Note that "designed" is different from "first hoisted/adopted."

Explain the concept: The Nigerian flag was designed by Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, a young Nigerian student studying in London. In 1959, he entered a national competition to design the flag of an independent Nigeria. His design won, with the green-white-green vertical stripes: green for agriculture/natural wealth and white for peace and unity. The original design included a red sun with radiating rays on a white stripe, which was later removed, leaving the plain green-white-green flag we know today.

Timeline:

• 1957: A competition was announced to design a flag for an independent Nigeria.
• 1959: Akinkunmi's design was selected (the design is dated to this year).
• 1 October 1960: The flag was first officially hoisted at Independence.
• 1961 and 1962: Not linked to the flag's design.

Solution:

• Independence was in 1960, so the design must come before that. That eliminates A (1961) and D (1962).
• This leaves 1957 and 1959. The competition was launched in 1958 and the winning design was chosen in 1959, so the design is attributed to 1959.

Note on the answer: Some sources say the competition started in 1957 or 1958, which is why C can look tempting.

Answer: B. 1959

Exam tip: Remember "Akinkunmi, 1959, flag, then 1960, Independence." The flag design comes one year before independence. Also remember that the design (1959) and the first hoisting (1960) are different events.