The recent controversy surrounding the changing of Nigeria’s national anthem has sparked strong reactions within Nigerian society. Following President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the National Anthem Bill 2024, reinstating the old national anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”, former Minister Oby Ezekwesili has expressed her opposition to the reintroduction via her twitter account.
She stressed that the abandoned anthem, “Arise, O compatriots”, remains for her the national anthem of Nigeria. She also criticized the federal government for prioritizing the anthem change over other pressing issues facing the country.
In a tweet, she called the decision “absolutely unbelievable”, questioning how the government could find the old national anthem admirable despite the use of some controversial terms in its lyrics. She said she would continue to sing the abandoned anthem whenever the national anthem was called to be sung.
This debate around the national anthem has highlighted a divergence of opinions within Nigerian society. On the one hand, some citizens support the return to the old anthem as a symbol of their cultural heritage and past history. On the other hand, voices like that of Oby Ezekwesili highlight the need to update and modernize the national anthem to better reflect the evolution of the country and its society.
The use of terms such as “Native Land” and “Tribes” in the former national anthem has been criticized for its colonial character and derogatory connotations. In a 21st century Nigeria seeking unity and progress, this controversy raises broader questions about national identity and how the colonial past continues to influence the present.
Ultimately, the question of the national anthem goes beyond the simple choice of lyrics or melody. It reflects the internal struggles to define what it means to be Nigerian today and the necessary reconciliation between the rich cultural heritage and the vision of a common and inclusive future for all Nigerians. This debate represents not only a quarrel of words, but also a call for unity, understanding and reconciliation in an ever-changing nation.
It is essential that leaders, citizens and civil society actors engage in open and constructive dialogue on this issue, in order to find common ground and strengthen the sense of belonging and national pride. Because beyond the words of a hymn, it is the soul and the future of a nation that are at stake.