In a move that has sparked widespread debate and frustration, Nigeria’s decision to revert to its old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration has been met with significant resistance. The anthem, originally adopted at independence in 1960 and replaced in 1978, was reintroduced in May 2024 after Tinubu signed a bill passed by the National Assembly. However, nearly a year later, as reflected in a viral X post by user Mallam Jabir (@Mallam_jabeer) on March 23, 2025, the majority of Nigerians remain uninterested in embracing the change, with many prioritizing more pressing economic concerns over symbolic gestures.
A Controversial Anthem Revival
The re-adoption of “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” a post-colonial anthem written by Lillian Jean Williams and composed by Frances Benda (a pen name for Mrs. Charles Kernot), was intended to symbolize Nigeria’s diversity and unity, according to President Tinubu. Speaking on his first anniversary in office in May 2024, Tinubu described the anthem as a representation of the country’s heritage. However, the decision to revert to the old anthem—dropped in 1978 by a military government in favor of “Arise, O Compatriots”—was met with immediate backlash. Critics, including former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili, pointed to the anthem’s colonial undertones, with words like “native land” and “tribes” deemed pejorative and out of touch with 21st-century Nigeria.
The speed of the legislative process also raised eyebrows. The bill was introduced and passed by both chambers of the National Assembly with little public consultation, a move many Nigerians saw as a distraction from more urgent issues. At the time of the change, Nigeria was grappling with an escalating economic crisis, with inflation reaching a 28-year high of 33.2%, a foreign exchange crisis, and widespread insecurity. Social media reactions captured the public’s incredulity, with users like @Gospel_rxx questioning the government’s priorities: “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?”
Public Sentiment: Disinterest and Defiance
Fast forward to March 2025, and the sentiment appears to have hardened. Mallam Jabir’s X post, which gained significant traction, claimed that 80-85% of Nigerians cannot sing the reintroduced anthem, and 90-95% are unwilling to learn it. The responses to the post reveal a mix of apathy, frustration, and outright rejection. User @MorahBless24599 replied, “True. Me sef no sabi and not interested,” while @alozie48784669 went further, suggesting the percentages were too conservative: “98% can’t sing it n 99.5% are unwilling to learn it… who national anthem help. It’s only a proud citizen that can want to learn or sing.” Others, like @anthonyabidakun, dismissed the anthem as a “shitty colonial song,” reflecting a broader rejection of its historical context.
The economic hardship facing Nigerians has only amplified this disinterest. As @TheNorth82 noted in response to Jabir’s post, “With hunger pervasive in the land, one may question the relevance of such concerns. Let them partake in their national anthem.” This sentiment echoes earlier criticisms from 2024, when the anthem change was first announced. At the time, the Daily Trust reported public outrage over the government’s focus on symbolic gestures while ignoring critical issues like rising inflation and security challenges. X user @Mudiaga247 had asked, “How does signing this bill help the Drowning Economy?”—a question that remains unanswered nearly a year later.
A Symbol of Misplaced Priorities?
The reintroduction of “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” has been widely viewed as a misstep by Tinubu’s administration, particularly given the timing. Nigeria’s economy has deteriorated significantly since Tinubu took office in 2023, with the cost-of-living crisis leaving many citizens struggling to afford basic necessities. The Guardian reported in May 2024 that the anthem change was seen as a “cynical distraction” from these challenges, with some Nigerians, like political activist Aisha Yesufu, publicly refusing to recite the new anthem as a form of protest.
The anthem’s historical context has also fueled criticism. Written in 1959 by a British expatriate, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was first adopted at a time when Nigeria was emerging from colonial rule, but its re-adoption in 2024 has been criticized as a step backward. For many, the anthem represents a colonial past that feels disconnected from Nigeria’s current struggles and aspirations. As @LeninPark4 humorously noted in response to Jabir’s post, “I don even forget the old one,” highlighting the disconnect between the government’s symbolic gesture and the lived realities of its citizens.
A Nation Divided by Priorities
The debate over the national anthem underscores a deeper divide between Nigeria’s political class and its citizens. While Tinubu and the National Assembly may view the anthem as a unifying symbol, the public’s response suggests otherwise. For many Nigerians, the government’s focus on the anthem feels tone-deaf in the face of hunger, insecurity, and economic instability. As @KennyNuga tweeted in 2024, “Misplaced priority. We need laws mandating all vehicles to shift off the road when an Ambulance is approaching. We need laws that criminalize bullying in our institutions.” These calls for practical, life-improving legislation continue to resonate more than the reintroduction of a decades-old anthem.
The X thread initiated by Mallam Jabir serves as a microcosm of this broader discontent. The overwhelming agreement among respondents—ranging from apathy to outright rejection—suggests that the anthem has failed to inspire the sense of pride and unity Tinubu had hoped for. Instead, it has become a lightning rod for frustration with a government perceived as out of touch with its people’s needs.
Looking Ahead: Can Symbols Inspire Change?
As Nigeria approaches the second year of Tinubu’s presidency, the anthem debate raises broader questions about leadership and priorities. Can symbolic gestures like a national anthem inspire unity and pride in a nation grappling with systemic challenges? Or do they risk alienating a population already disillusioned with its leaders? For now, the answer seems clear: Nigerians are more concerned with survival than with singing.
The re-adoption of “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” may have been intended to evoke nostalgia and unity, but it has instead highlighted the disconnect between the government and its citizens. As the economic crisis deepens, the Tinubu administration will need to shift its focus from symbolic gestures to tangible solutions if it hopes to regain public trust. Until then, as @TheNorth82 put it, “Let them partake and leave us alone”—a sentiment that captures the mood of a nation unwilling to sing while struggling to survive.
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