Some Nigerians have expressed outrage after the country’s national anthem was changed without much consultation.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday signed into law the bill to return to the old Nigerian national anthem, which was scrapped by a military government in 1978.
The recently re-adopted national anthem, which begins “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was written in 1959 by Lillian Jean Williams and composed by Frances Berda.
Speaking on his first anniversary in office, President Tinubu said the national anthem symbolized Nigeria’s diversity.
But many have questioned his priorities amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Some Nigerians said online that the country has more pressing problems such as insecurity, rising inflation and a currency crisis.
X user @GoSpel_RXX posted: “A new national anthem is the priority for Tinubu & Co at a time like this: if our people cannot eat, is the uncertainty widespread and is life a hell? What a dirty joke!!. Let’s see how they implement it…”
Another X user, Fola Folayan, said it was a shame that Parliament passed the bill as quickly as possible.
“Changing the Nigerian national anthem written by a Nigerian to the song written by colonizers is a stupid decision and it is shameful that no one in the National Assembly thought to oppose it.”
Former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili posted on X that she would never sing the new old national anthem.
“Let it be known to all that when asked to sing the Nigerian National Anthem, I, Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili [will] to sing:”
She then posted the words to “Arise O Compatriots” – the national anthem used for the past 46 years.
Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad had an interesting angle as Nigerians continue to debate the issue on social media.
“After the change of our national anthem, some people are now calling for the name Nigeria and the national flag to be changed as well. What do you think? Should we keep the name Nigeria?”
But Tahir Mongunu, chairman of the parliamentary committee that pushed through the bill, dismissed the widespread criticism, saying it was “appropriate, timely and important”.
“It will undoubtedly ignite a zeal for patriotism and cooperation. It will promote cultural heritage. Changing the national anthem will pave the way to greater unity,” Tahir said.
And Kano resident Habu Shamsu agrees, telling the BBC: “I think it is more encompassing and I like the way it flows.”
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