Do you know that Nigeria had a flag during the colonial era? The flag was adopted when the Northern and the Southern protectorate of Nigeria were amalgamated to create Nigeria. The flag lasted from 1914 to 1960 until a new one was made for the independent Nigeria. According to history, the flag of Nigeria between 1914 and 1960 was a British blue ensign with a green Star of David surrounding a Tudor Crown (later changed to a St. Edward's Crown in 1953) with the white word "Nigeria" under it on a red disc.
Vessels bearing colonial governor's or other administrative officials of badge-processing rank fly the union jack with a badge of the colony placed within a wreath at the intersection of the crosses. Vessels bearing colonial public service display the blue ensign with the badge of colony from which it hails in the fly.
As a symbol of the unification, it was first suggested by the first Governor-General of Nigeria, Sir Fredrick Lugard. He chose the Seal of Solomon as a symbol which was previously used on the coins of British West Africa. The flag was not really accepted by some native Nigerians like Fela Kuti, who refused to salute the flag despite been mandated in schools. Some Nigerian Muslims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, because of the Jewish Star of David on it burned down the flag in 1956.
So that led to proposing a new flag. Before Independence was finally achieved, a competition to design a new flag was held. Over 3,000 designs were submitted, however, that of Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, a Nigerian student in London, was picked and that is the flag used in Nigeria for today: green white green.
Written by Ufuoma Akpoveta for the ACER Editorial.