Tinubu Reinstates Pre-1978 National Anthem, Composed by Foreigners
On the first anniversary of his presidency, President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Anthem Bill, 2024, reverting the country’s national anthem to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”, which was first used 64 years ago when Nigeria gained independence.
President Bola Tinubu consented to the bill on Wednesday, May 29, just a day after the Nigerian Senate passed it during a plenary session.
Although it was introduced in the National Assembly less than a week ago, the bill received accelerated attention as Nigerian legislators believe that the old anthem epitomized the significant historical heritage of the country.
When Opeyemi Bamidele, the Leader of the Senate, read out the bill on May 23, he said, “The concept, philosophy, and ideological connotation of this anthem conveyed and epitomized the significant historical heritage of our country, Nigeria.”
Mixed reactions have trailed the decision of the government to revert to the old anthem, written and composed by foreigners even before the country gained independence. Also, in a country experiencing some economic challenges, from inflation to insecurity, many believe that the government is not prioritizing measures that will address the present realities Nigerians are facing.
Written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who was believed to work with the Federal Ministry of Labour, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was adopted as the country’s official anthem on Independence Day. While Williams wrote the anthem’s lyrics, the music was composed by Frances Berda.
To promote a sense of national ownership, one that was composed by Nigerians was sought. To address this, a national competition was opened, and over 1,400 Nigerians submitted lyrics for a new national anthem. Composing the lyrics of five finalists – Eme Etim Akpan, Sota Omoigui, P. O. Aderibigbe, B. A. Ogunnaike, and John A. Ilechukwu – Benedict Odiase, a former police officer, composed “Arise, O Compatriots”, which was adopted in 1978.
46 years later, the anthem has been reverted to the old one, as the leaders argue that the present one also fails to capture democratic values and lacks the inclusivity that fosters commitment to nationhood, which was ingrained in the old anthem.
