Nigeria Reinstates 1978 National Anthem

Nigeria has passed a new law changing the country’s current national anthem to a military-day anthem amidst public outrage. Some Nigerians have taken to social media, especially X to express outrage following the decision. Others have questioned the President’s priorities.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday signed into law the bill to revert to Nigeria’s old national anthem which was dropped by a military government in 1978, the BBC reported.

The newly re-adopted anthem, which begins “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda. Speaking on his first anniversary in office, President Tinubu said the anthem symbolized Nigeria’s diversity.

But many have questioned his priorities amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Reacting online, some Nigerians said the country had more pressing problems such as insecurity, rising inflation, and a foreign exchange crisis.

X user @Gospel_rxx posted: “A new national anthem is the priority for Tinubu & Co at a time like this, When our people can’t eat, insecurity is rife & life is hell? What a sordid joke!!. Lets see how they implement it…”

Another X user Fola Folayan, said it was shameful that parliament had rushed through the bill.