Michael Taiwo Akinkumi (OFR), popularly known as “Mr. Flag Man” for designing the Nigerian flag, is dead.
The nonagenarian, aged 86, died in the early hours of Tuesday after a brief illness.
Pa Akinkunmi’s death was announced on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, by his son Samuel Akinkunmi via a post on his Facebook page.
He wrote, “Life is indeed transient; I can say boldly that you live a life with a landmark. Continue to rest, my father! Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi (O.F.R.): Great Man has gone.”
Akinwumi, a native of Abeokuta, Ogun State, was born on May 10, 1936, but lived in Ibadan until his demise.
He attended Baptist Day Secondary School, Ibadan, for his primary education and Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan, for his secondary education.
He started his career as a civil servant at the Western Region Civil Service in Ibadan and later travelled overseas to study Agricultural Engineering at Norway Technical College.
Akinkunmi, in 1958, during his stay abroad, stumbled upon an advertisement in a national daily calling for the submission of designs for the Nigerian national flag in view of Nigeria’s imminent independence from British governance.
His entry of green-white-green was adjudged the best among the roughly 2,000 entries submitted and the flag was officially hoisted on Independence Day (October 1, 1960), while the British Union Jack lowered.
Akinkunmi was awarded £100 by the government when his design was selected. The flag was officially raised on Independence Day 1st October, 1960 signifying the pulling down British flag in Nigeria
