MINISTER FOR INFORMATION, NOA TO SPEAK ON NATIONAL FLAG

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Questions Mount Over Display of Two Versions of Nigerian Flag on October 1

By Jacob Udus Ipogah,

 

As Nigerians celebrated the nation’s 66th Independence Anniversary on Thursday, October 1, 2026, questions were raised over the display and circulation of what appeared to be two different versions of the Nigerian National Flag. While the familiar Green-White-Green flag was seen in some places, another version carrying the Coat of Arms prominently in the centre of the white portion was also seen with women  selling them at the bus stop. Meanwhile the Flags and Coats of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federaltion of Nigeria 2004 kick against modifying the flag. The  Flags and Coats of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. Section 3(2)

The Act provides:

“Any person who, except otherwise than in conformity with the terms of a licence granted by the Minister or under other lawful authority, flies or exhibits in any public place—

(a) the National flag; or

(b) the flag of any member State of the Commonwealth,

if the flag so flown or exhibited bears thereon any addition, or is in any way modified or defaced, shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.”.  With this Act, stating expressly what the nation flag should look  like, why should the Coats of Arms  be inserted  at the center of the flag and the Law enforcement agencies allow it to be displayed in the public places.

A national flag is a symbol of a nation’s identity, sovereignty and unity. Nigeria’s National Flag has traditionally been recognised by its three equal vertical bands of green, white and green. The Flags and Coats of Arms Act also provides restrictions against displaying the National Flag with additions or modifications without lawful authority.  Therefore, if the version bearing the Coat of Arms is officially approved, Nigerians deserve to know when and by whom it was approved. If it is not an approved version, Nigerians also deserve to know how it found its way into public display, particularly on Independence Day.

The issue is not political, nor is it about who is in government. It is about national identity and consistency. A sovereign nation should not appear to have two different versions of its national flag without a clear official explanation. The Minister of Information and National Orientation and the National Orientation Agency, which has been identified as the custodian and source of official national symbols, should therefore clarify the matter and tell Nigerians which flag is the officially recognised Nigerian National Flag.

Beyond the concerns surrounding the national flag, many Nigerians remain optimistic that Nigeria will rise again and reclaim its rightful place among the nations