A year after the passing of Pa Taiwo Michael Akinkunmi, the designer of Nigeria’s national flag, his family has finally decided to lay him to rest.
The 87-year-old, who passed away on August 29, 2023, had been kept in a mortuary for over a year while the family waited for the Nigerian government to fulfill its promise of a state burial—a promise that never materialized.
Pa Akinkunmi, whose design of the iconic green and white flag was inspired by Nigeria’s rich agricultural heritage and the ideal of unity among its diverse ethnic groups, made a significant contribution to the nation’s identity.
His flag design was selected in a national competition in the late 1950s while he was studying in London. The flag was officially unveiled on October 1, 1960, Nigeria’s Independence Day, marking the birth of the new nation.
Despite his monumental contribution to Nigeria’s history, Akinkunmi led a relatively quiet life, working for the Ministry of Agriculture and remaining largely unknown to the public.
It was only later in life that his efforts were formally recognized when he received the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) award in 2014—one of Nigeria’s highest civilian honors.
Following his death, there was widespread support for giving Pa Akinkunmi a state burial. Public sentiment called for a tribute befitting a national hero, and a motion was even proposed to this effect.
The Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy issued a directive for the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) to ensure a state funeral was organized in his honor. However, despite these directives and public outcry, no concrete plans were made.
This left Akinkunmi’s family in a difficult position, forced to bear the financial burden of keeping his body in a mortuary for over a year as they awaited the government’s action.
The lack of follow-through sparked frustration among those who believed that Akinkunmi’s legacy deserved more respect and recognition from the nation he had so deeply impacted.
It was ultimately the Oyo state government that stepped in to offer support to the family, ensuring that Pa Akinkunmi would receive a proper burial.
The burial took place in early September 2024, shortly after the one-year anniversary of his passing. Oyo state leaders emphasized that while the national government failed to fulfill its promise, the state was committed to honoring Akinkunmi’s legacy.
Many Nigerians expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to provide the promised state burial.
For a man who contributed so significantly to the nation’s identity, the delay in honoring his legacy was seen as a reflection of the broader challenges in recognizing and celebrating national heroes.
As Pa Akinkunmi is finally laid to rest, his family and supporters hope that his contributions will continue to be celebrated in the years to come, ensuring that his legacy endures even in the absence of the state tribute he deserved.
