Nigeria's flag was designed in 1959 and first officialy hoisted on 1st October 1960. The green bands are said to represent the forests and wealth of Nigeria whilst the white vertical bar represent peace. The flag was actually designed by a student in a competition held in 1959. This design was adapted and so the national flag was created. It has not been altered since and has stayed the same for almost half a century.

Like Ghana, Nigeria has special flags for civil and naval vessels and at one time the states of the country also had flags, with white symbolising purity and green representing the land.