What Are The National Symbols of Nigeria?

By Atala

Big Ben. The Empire State Building. The vuvuzela. The Great Wall of China. The samba. I'm sure that you all recognise these as national symbols of the countries that they're in. And the worldwide recognition that these symbols have not only does wonders for the tourism industries of their respective countries, they also serve as a means for reinforcing the identities and the national pride of the citizens of those countries.


The interesting thing about these symbols is that in many cases, they weren't created with the express intention of becoming national symbols. In fact, in many cases, the nations that the symbols serve to identify weren't even in existence when the symbols came into being. It's just that the symbols were so outstanding, either because of their sheer size, their beauty or the way they caught people's imagination that they became well known in their countries, and thus they became a candidate for being chosen as a symbol.

This got me thinking about what Nigeria's national symbols were. I know that we have the coat of arms - two horses leaning against that shield with the stylised confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers, with an eagle on top. But honestly, the only time most people see these symbols is when they are looking at an official letterhead or a government sponsored message in the media. So they don't pervade the national popular consciousness as a national symbol should.

But there are other symbols that can be regarded as uniquely Nigerian, either because they are associated with Nigeria, or with a large section of Nigerians - a section that cuts across culture and religion. They are:

1. Gari - whether the sour 'Ijebu' favoured in the south west or the plain 'yellow' preferred in the south east, the love of gari is something that is shared by many Nigerians, especially in the south.

2. The Super Eagles - probably the only eleven men that can make Nigerians weep with joy or pain.

3. Pidgin English - the de facto lingua franca for many Nigerians.

4. The National Theatre, Iganmu. I'm sure that there are many magnificient buildings in Abjua, but this has featured in so much promotional literature that it's earned its place.

5. The black and white kerb markings that you see at the edge of many urban roads

6. Nollywood, whose fame has spread beyond Nigeria's borders.

7. Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Many years after his death, the influence of his songs continues to reverberate, to the extent that a musical has even been made in America about his life.

8. Oil. This is still something that Nigeria is still strongly identified with, even though it has had its negative sides.

9. A symbol consisting of two rounded rectangles crossing each other like an X, with a square with curved edges superimposed. This is usually found in northern artwork and designs.

10. The palm tree. Even though this varies in density as you go north, this is an ubiquitous feature of the landscape, and it's much loved for its utility

So that's my list. Did I miss anything out? Are there symbols that you feel are unique to Nigeria and are deserving of the status of national symbol?