Nigerian Coat of Arms Symbols Description and Meanings

The Nigerian Coat of Arms is very symbolic; it distinguishes Nigerian from any other African countries because of the uniqueness of its coat of arms.

Perhaps, the man who designed the Nigerian coat of arms might have gotten the elegance Nigeria’s stature in mind hence, portraying the very strength and power, and authority and dignity and pride and beauty of the Nigerian state’s natural endowment in the Nigerian coat of arms.

This is however, amazing. After Nigeria had gained independence from Great Britain, there was a need of self government, and there was also a need for some important mechanism that was to help spur the leaders to take full responsibility and maximize the benefit of self government.

One of these symbols, which was to remind them of the onerous task of building a nation or nation building was the Nigerian coat of arms.

However, before we delve into detailed description of the Nigerian coat of arms, it is of utmost important to remind ourselves that Nigerian coat of arms was officially adopted in 1975 as the symbol of national unity, symbol of power, symbol of authority.

See Also: Top 7 Nigerian national symbols and their meaning

Who designed the nigerian coat of arms ?

It was the 1960 Ordinance number 48 which gave birth to the Nigerian coat of arms, alongside the Nigerian flag after independence. That is how it was!

After independence from Great Britain, almost all the political regions within the Nigerian state have their own coat of arms until 1975, when the Nigerian coat of arms was unanimously adopted as the symbol of authority and national unity.

This well explained the potency of the Nigerian coat of arms. However, Nigerian coat of arms was well designed with features that symbolizes or signifies or describes the very virtue of the Nigerian state. Features, if embraced and understood can lead to the understanding of leadership functions, and you could tell the resultant effect of such leadership.

It is about human development, economic growth, political stability, social advancement, cultural renaissance and what have you. Nevertheless, in this article, we will carefully examine these features in the Nigerian coat of arms, their meaning, what they signify and their symbols.

The Nigerian coat of arms comprises of about seven permanent features. All of these seven features have their significant symbol that describes the virtue of a particular component of the Nigerian state. However, one can wonder on the significant of these features within the context of the Nigerian state, now these are the answers;

Description of Nigeria coat of arm symbols

As I said earlier, the Nigerian coat of arms comprises of seven permanent features, and a careful study of the Nigerian coat of arms will reveal the following:

1. A black shield

There is a black shield in the Nigerian coat of arms from where; we find the letter ‘Y’ in between. That is the first feature in the Nigerian coat of arms.

2. Two white wavy bands

The second feature is the two white wavy bands in the Nigerian coat of arms, examining it carefully; you will see where the two white wavy meet at a point in the shield to form the letter ‘Y’.

3. The two horses

Next feature on the Nigerian coat of arms are the two horses on the either sides of the shield.

4. Flowers

The number four feature is found at the base of the Nigerian coat of arms. If you look closely, you will see that there are flowers at the base of the shield in the Nigerian coat of arms. That is the number four feature.

5. Wreath with green and white bands

The number five is the wreath with green and white bands at the top of the shield in the Nigerian coat of arms.

6. An Eagle

Then on the wreath with green and white bands, which sited on top of the shield, look carefully, you will find an eagle standing on top of that wreath with green and white bands, the eagle is the sixth feature in the Nigerian coat of arms

7. Nigerian Motto

And then finally, is the last, which is the seventh feature in the Nigerian coat of arms. When you look down the base of the Nigerian coat of arms, you will find the ‘Nigeria’s Motto’, written down there, the nation’s motto is actually the seventh among all the features in the Nigerian coat of arms.

From the description so far, one can see that truly the Nigerian coat of arms have seven permanent features and these features have their significance. What then is the significance of these features?

Significance, symbols and representations of each of the feature in the Nigerian Coat of Arms

1. The Black shield

 First of all, you look at the black shield on the Nigerian coat of arms. What that signifies is simple the Nigeria’s fertile soil, giving an impression that Nigeria’s land is good and fertile for agriculture activities. By implication, the country is capable of producing food for its citizenry and for export.

2. The two white wavy bands

The next feature of the Nigerian coat of arms is the two white wavy bands, where the bands jointed at a point on the shield to form the letter ‘Y’. This also symbolizes Nigeria’s main water ways, the River Niger and the River Benue. And there is a place called Lokoja, where the two Rivers met to form a conference. By implication, Nigeria has resources for agriculture and power generation (electricity).

3. The Two Horses

From the list of the Nigerian coat of arms features are the two horses at either sides of the shield. This feature represents the pride and the dignity of the Nigerian state. And somebody has said that Nigeria is the giant of Africa.

4. The Flowers

Next on the list are the flowers at the base of the shield. This is another feature of the Nigerian coat of arms, symbolizes that in every part of the Nigerian state, there is these flowers, and by implication, Nigeria is clean and green.

5. The Eagle

The eagle on the wreath with white and green bands symbolizes the pride of Nigeria

6. Wreath With Green and White Bands

Whereas the wreath with green and white bands represents Nigeria’s rich agricultural potential.

7. Nigeria’s Motto

Right down, around the bands on the base of the shield is the nation’s motto with inscription; “unity and faith and peace and progress.

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