President Bola Tinubu has signed into law the bill reinstating the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the announcement during a joint sitting of the National Assembly on Wednesday, which also happened to be President Tinubu’s first anniversary in office.
The Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Anthem Bill 2024. The old anthem, which was originally adopted when Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960, will now resume its position as the national anthem.
The decision to revert to the old anthem has sparked widespread debate and criticism as prominent figures and citizens have voiced their concerns over the perceived prioritisation of the national anthem change amidst Nigeria’s pressing socio-economic issues.
The former Minister of Solid Minerals, Oby Ezekwesili, slammed the move, questioning the priorities of the government amidst pressing governance issues.
Ezekwesili, in a tweet, stated, “Wow! With all the horrible indicators on the state of governance,? So, it is a new national anthem that is their priority? I frankly thought it was a joke and gave it no attention. What an egregious case of “Majoring in the Minor” this is! Wow!”
Again, no one is coming to save us, citizens of Nigeria. We’re all we have. We all must someday decide to collectively save ourselves and this country from these overpaid, unethical, incompetent and incapable “lawbreakers” in the @nassnigeria and their similarly characterised collaborators in the Executive and Judicial branches of government across this land. The citizens of this country must understand this absolute truth by now that the political class is the biggest curse on this country.”
Television journalist Oseni Rufai also noted the contrast between the anthem’s reinstatement and the nation’s pressing economic challenges.
Rufai tweeted, “Tomato is scarce yet senate is passing bill on old national anthem. Can they talk about food inflation please and other issues that affect Nigerians?”
The co-founder and CEO of BudgIT, Olúṣeun Ongbindé, criticised the lack of public consultation and swift passage of the bill, stating that “without any form of consultation or leaning into popular demand, that’s how a national anthem that stood for over 50 years was expunged. Nigerians, stop playing games with your leadership choices.”
Other citizens have also voiced their concerns on social media, like @JulieAmo5 tweeted, “They’re changing the national anthem written by Nigerian to the one bequeathed to us by colonialism/imperialism. It shows we’re a country bereft of ideas. Will it reduce the prices of goods in the market or the suffering of Nigerians. Very unfortunate, we’re pursuing shadows yet to face the truth.”
Another, @Momentum_SBWA “The only question I have is WHY? Why is reverting to the old national anthem written and composed by the whiteman important right now? With everything going wrong in the country? Why’s this a priority at this time? Abi what sort of agbako government is this? ♂️”
@patraglobal “This is the greatest achievement of this government, honestly our “HOPE IS RENEWED” with this old national anthem resurfacing again, 50kg bag of rice is now 10k, Garri 100naira/mudu, beans price also crashed etc. Wow!!! Price of food stuff is now very affordable. Thank you BAT ”
Some, like @ElijahMKPARAH, alleged that there is a political motives behind the decision, claiming it was a retaliatory move against former President Olusegun Obasanjo
@ElijahMKPARAH says, “Nigerians should realise that the return of old national anthem by President Tinubu has nothing to do with economy and the unity of Nigeria but a revenge fight against his brother H.E Chief Olusegun Obasenjo – GCFR, for opening supported Mr Peter Obi in the last election,
.. Now remember this: it was in 1978 during Olusegun Obasanjo’s Military Administration that this old national anthem was dropped. Now Tinubu is returning it back not because it has any economic implications on Nigeria but a fight against OBJ for not supporting his ambition.”
