International Color Guide - Nigeria

Colors Have Meaning in Nearly Every Aspect of Everyday Life in Nigeria Today

Nigeria's flag, adopted in 1960 when the country became independent from British rule, was chosen from entries submitted to a competition. The winning entry, submitted by a student, represents in green and white the Nigerian land being crossed by the Niger River.

The Nigerian flag colors are also interpreted to symbolize agriculture (green), and peace and unity (white).

Colors have definite and significant meaning in Nigerian society. A color like red can have an entire palette of meanings: prosperity, vitality, aggression. Black, on the other hand, has more limited connotations: It is almost universally considered a frightening color.

White is a meaningful shade, especially for followers of the Yoruba religion. It is associated with deities and peace, as well as with the afterlife. Yoruba believers wear white clothes and regard albinos to be people specially chosen by God.

Black is a powerful color, and red is considered by some to be dangerous. A cool, bright blue, on the other hand, has very positive attributes.

	White in Nigeria can mean good luck, peace, purity or even a unity with the spiritual world. White is also a national color and a color used in some funeral and memorial services.
	Black and darkness in general is considered to be frightening and ominous. Some tribes associate black with spirits.
	In Nigeria, red can stand for wealth, plenty, virility, vitality and aggression. Red balanced with white represents aggression tempered with compassion.
	Blue is the color of the north. The Yoruba believe that deep indigo blue is a very positive color.
	Green combined with white, the colors of the Nigerian flag, has patriotic overtones.
	Pink is a color frequently used by some tribes in female puberty rites.
	Purple and orange are often grouped together as one color, neither with any particular meaning.