Nigeria has reverted to a national anthem that was abandoned almost five decades ago, following the passage of a law by lawmakers replacing the current one.
This decision, which came into effect when President Bola Tinubu signed it into law on Wednesday May 30, has sparked widespread criticism due to the lack of public consultation on the matter.
The legislation was reportedly introduced and approved by both chambers of Nigeria’s Parliament in less than a week.
This move has been perceived by many as an unusually fast process for major bills which typically take weeks or even months to be considered.
The decision, made amidst an economic crisis, has raised concerns about the democratic process in the country.
Critics Decry Nigeria’s Economic Crisis
Nigeria’s economy has reportedly plunged during Tinubu’s first year in office, with inflation reaching a 28-year high of 33.2%.
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Critics argue that the change of anthem was the government’s attempt at distracting the public from an escalating economic crisis.
“It is a waste of time, what is more important are inflation and security problems: that is what the government should squarely be looking at,” said Cheta Nwanze, lead partner at SBM Intelligence.
Details of the Anthem
The new anthem, titled “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was first introduced in 1960 when Nigeria gained independence from Britain and was penned by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate.
It was replaced in 1978 by “Arise, O Compatriots” under the military government of Olusegun Obasanjo.
Many Nigerians have expressed their disapproval on social media, stating their intention to continue singing the old anthem.
Notably, former Education Minister and presidential aspirant Oby Ezekwesili criticized the decision, highlighting the colonial undertones of the reinstated anthem.
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“In a 21st Century Nigeria, the country’s political class found a colonial National Anthem that has pejorative words like “Native Land” and “Tribes” to be admirable enough to foist on our citizens without their consent,” Ezekwesili posted on X.
However, supporters of the new anthem praised the government’s move arguing that it was wrong for the country to adopt and use an anthem introduced by the military.
“Anthems are ideological recitations that help the people to be more focused. It was a very sad development for the military to have changed the anthem,” said the public affairs analyst, Frank Tietie.
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