The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Public Schools (ANCOPPS) have criticized the reintroduction of the colonial-era national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” following President Bola Tinubu’s signing of a bill from the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Observers noted that the decision was made swiftly and has faced widespread criticism. The anthem, written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda, was Nigeria’s national anthem from 1960 to 1978, before being replaced by “Arise, O Compatriots,” composed by Nigerian Pa Benedict Odiase.
Dr. Mike Ike-Ene, Secretary-General of the NUT, called the decision “unimpressive.” He stated, “Nigerians are suffering and groaning, they are hungry, yet this government is focused on changing the national anthem. How will that translate to nation-building? There is no fuel, insecurity, lack of electricity, and unresolved minimum wage issues, yet the government’s priority is the national anthem.”
Ike-Ene criticized the Tinubu administration’s policies, noting that he had not seen any impressive decisions or policies in the past year. He referenced the Buhari administration’s promise to make the Port Harcourt refinery operational, expressing disappointment that the current administration has not followed through. “Will singing this new national anthem put food on our table? Will it solve the insecurity problem? Will it give us electricity? Will it change corrupt politicians?” he asked.
ANCOPPS National President, Mr. Musa Ibrahim, also condemned the reintroduction, describing it as an attempt to take the country back to the colonial era. He questioned how many ministers and politicians could even recite “Arise, O Compatriots,” let alone the old restored anthem.
“This should not be an issue in Nigeria at all because there are more pressing challenges that the government is expected to focus on solving. In Borno and Yobe, there is no potable water. You can’t travel the northern axis safely. Will the new anthem change our thinking, and our perception? Will it put money in our pockets? Will it better the lives of our people? There is nothing educational about the introduction of the old anthem. It is as useless as it is, nobody should make an effort to learn it. Somebody is taking us back to the colonial era. We are running away from reality,” Ibrahim declared.
The National President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Mr. Yomi Otubela, added, “The association is yet to meet over this development. Once we take a position, I will let you know.”
Former Minister of Education, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, also opposed reverting to the old national anthem. In a post on her social media handle on Wednesday, she stated that no one could suppress her right to dissent from what she described as an “obnoxious law” repugnant to all who are of good conscience in Nigeria. She affirmed, “Let it be known to all and sundry that I, Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili, will, whenever asked to sing the Nigerian National Anthem, sing: ‘Arise O Compatriots.’”
The reintroduction of the colonial-era national anthem continues to draw criticism from various quarters, reflecting broader discontent with the government’s priorities amid pressing national issues.
