A Hero’s Unhonored Passing: Taiwo Akinkunmi’s Burial Reveals Nigeria’s Neglect of National Icons

The family of Taiwo Akinkunmi, the revered designer of Nigeria’s national flag, has decided to proceed with his burial arrangements after waiting for a year for a promised state funeral that never came to fruition. Akinkunmi, who passed away on September 4, 2023, at the age of 87, was initially assured a state funeral by the Nigerian Federal Government in recognition of his significant contributions to the nation’s history and identity.

In an interview with the BBC Focus on Africa podcast, Akinwumi Akinkunmi, the late icon’s son, expressed the family’s disappointment and frustration. “We have to give him the befitting burial he deserves,” he stated, revealing that the family had patiently awaited the government’s plans, only to realize over time that no concrete steps were being taken to honor his father as promised. The lack of communication and action from the government left the family in a state of uncertainty.

Faced with the mounting costs of preserving Taiwo Akinkunmi’s body in a morgue—amounting to N2,000 per day—Akinwumi described the financial burden as becoming increasingly unsustainable. Fortunately, the Oyo State Government intervened to cover the expenses related to the burial rites. Despite this support, the family continues to hope that the Federal Government will eventually fulfill its pledge to provide a state funeral for the national hero.

The planned burial ceremonies are set to span three days, starting on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, in Ibadan, Oyo State, and concluding on Friday, September 6. The program aims to honor Taiwo Akinkunmi’s life and legacy as a symbol of national pride. The family remains cautiously optimistic that the Nigerian government might still step in to honor his memory appropriately, though their trust has been strained by the prolonged delay.

Akinwumi further disclosed that the National Institute for Cultural Orientation, under the Ministry of Arts and Culture, was reportedly assigned to handle the state funeral arrangements. However, after an initial phone call from the institute in June, there was no follow-up, leaving the family without guidance or support. He expressed concern that continued delays could be seen as a mark of disrespect to his father’s legacy. “My late father was an easy-going person who didn’t want anything to tarnish his image,” he said. “He was a very intelligent and good man, someone that everyone wanted to associate with.”

Taiwo Akinkunmi, born on May 10, 1936, in Ibadan, Oyo State, became a national icon when he designed Nigeria’s flag in 1958, a simple yet powerful symbol of the nation’s unity and independence. For his design, he was awarded £100, a small sum that belied the enduring significance of his contribution. Today, his legacy as the creator of one of Nigeria’s most important symbols remains untarnished, even as his family grapples with the complexities surrounding his final rites.