The flag was chosen as part of a nationwide open contest held by the government, with Akinkunmi's design being selected as the winner of a field of over three thousand entries.

The flag was raised for the first time in a ceremony by Lieutenant David Ejoor of the Army Guard.

[1] In 1959, out of almost 3,000 entries, Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi won the competition with an equal green-white-green with a red quarter sun on the white stripe was chosen.

[1] The standard of the President of Nigeria from 1960 had a red field with a large green shield and fimbriated white in the centre.

It also features a black shield with a wavy-edged "Y"—representing the confluence of the Niger and Benue Rivers.