Biography
Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi (born 10 May 1936) is a prominent Nigerian civil servant. He is widely recognized for his pivotal role in the creation of Nigeria’s iconic national flag.
Often affectionately referred to as “Mr. Flag Man”, Nigerians deeply appreciate and honor Taiwo Akinkunmi’s contributions to the country’s history.
Nigerian civil servant
Taiwo Akinkunmi |
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 Taiwo Akinkunmi: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photos |
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| Full name: | Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi |
| Stage name: | Taiwo Akinkunmi |
| Born: | May 10, 1936 (age 87) |
| Place of birth: | Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria |
| State of origin: | Oyo State |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Education: | Ibadan Grammar School |
| Deceased • Cause: | August 29, 2023 • Short-term illness |
| Parents: | Mr. and Mrs. Akinkunmi |
| Siblings: | Do not have |
| Couple: | Mrs. Akinkunmi |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Do not have |
| The children: | Samuel Akinwumi |
| Job: | Officer |
| Net worth: | $1 million – $5 million |
Early life and education
Taiwo Akinkunmi, born on May 10, 1936, in Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria, emerged as the older half of a pair of twins of Yoruba descent. He was raised by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Akinkunmi. In the blended family picture, he shared the stage with his twin brothers, providing a balance to their upbringing.
Taiwo Akinkunmi’s educational journey started at Baptist Day Middle School in Ibadan, marking his first steps towards knowledge. The chapters in his scholarly story unfolded at Ibadan Grammar Schoolwhere he delved deeper into the sea of knowledge.
When it came time to open the parchment of his secondary education, Taiwo Akinkunmi’s pursuit of knowledge led him to Norwood Technical College in London, where the study of electrical engineering became the guiding principle for his journey of discovery.
Career
Taiwo Akinkunmi, while studying agricultural engineering at Norwood Technical College in London (now) Lambeth Collegee), happened to see an advertisement in 1958. The advertisement was looking for designs for the Nigerian flag and out of over 2,000 entries, his design won.
On October 1, 1960, Nigeria celebrated its independence by raising a new flag, which featured horizontal green-white-green stripes. The white stripe bore a bright yellow star, symbolizing unity, while the green stripes symbolized the nation’s abundant resources and lush landscape.
Taiwo Akinkunmi returned to Nigeria in 1963, served in public service and built a lasting legacy. He was honoured with the award of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 1994. Sadly, he passed away on August 29, 2023, leaving an indelible mark on the Nigerian identity.
An accomplished artist, sculptor and photographer, Taiwo Akinkunmi’s works enrich galleries and publications, capturing the captivating beauty of Nigeria.
In 1958, while living abroad, Taiwo Akinkunmi’s design was chosen from among thousands of other designs to symbolize Nigeria’s independence from British rule.
Social media
Taiwo Akinkunmi, a Nigerian civil servant, is not active on any social media platform. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram do not have any information about him for people to find.
Personal life
Taiwo Akinkunmi, a private individual, has chosen to keep his personal life away from the scrutiny of the media. Despite being married and having children, he has deliberately chosen not to reveal any information about his wife or children.
Taiwo Akinkunmi’s dedication to maintaining the privacy of his married life is evident as he shields his family from the prying eyes of the public and the media. But one of his sons is named Akinwumi Samuel and he is married to Mrs. Akinkunmi.
On August 29, 2023, Taiwo Akinkunmi, a Nigerian civil servant, passed away at the age of 87. The exact cause of his death was a short-term illness.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of this respected man after he passed away following a brief illness. Although details of his passing are lacking, his contributions and impact as a Nigerian public servant will always be remembered and cherished.
Net worth
Taiwo Akinkunmi, the Nigerian civil servant responsible for designing the Nigerian flag, is believed to be worth between $1 million and $5 million. His income is believed to be modest, as he spent most of his career as a civil servant.
He received a pension after retiring from public service, although the amount has not been disclosed. There is also uncertainty about any other sources of income he may have had during his lifetime.
