Old National Anthem Was Brought Back To Rebuild Nigeria’s Future – Akpabio Says

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu signed a law on May 29, 2024, a move that sparked widespread debate and criticism reinstating the country's old national anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee."

This anthem, originally adopted in 1960 when Nigeria gained independence, was replaced in 1978 by "Arise, O Compatriots." The lyrics of "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" were penned by British expatriate Lillian Jean Williams, with music composed by Frances Benda.

The decision to revert to the old anthem has been met with mixed reactions. Critics argue that the government should prioritize addressing pressing economic issues such as inflation and insecurity rather than focusing on symbolic changes.

Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju remarked, "This government is not serious. They do not understand the times that we’re facing. Our greatest challenge now [is] economic issues."

Despite the backlash, proponents like Mohammed Tahir Monguno, chair of the parliamentary committee that pushed through the anthem's readoption, defended the change as "apt, timely and important."

President Tinubu himself emphasized that the old anthem symbolizes Nigeria's diversity and heritage. He also addressed concerns about the anthem's British origins, noting that Britain named the country Nigeria, yet the nation's identity remains uniquely its own.

Senator Godswill Akpabio, a key supporter of the reversion, stated, "We brought back the old national anthem to rebuild Nigeria’s future." He believes that the anthem's historical importance and unifying message can inspire a sense of national pride and cohesion during challenging times.

However, the swift passage of the bill—within just one week—has raised eyebrows, with many Nigerians feeling excluded from the decision-making process.

Nassarawa state resident Oliver Ugwu questioned the lack of public consultation, saying, "A greater percentage of the masses are saying there’s no need of going back. We have already gotten our independence, so [what] we want now is to move forward for more development."