In a move that has sparked controversy, President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Anthem Bill into law, replacing the current national anthem with “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”. This decision comes despite opposition from many Nigerians.
The announcement was made by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday. According to Akpabio, President Tinubu will not address the House but will only flag off the new anthem.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas explained that the president cancelled the address because June 12 is the official Democracy Day.
The new anthem, written by Lillian Jean Williams and composed by Frances Berda, has been met with mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some expressing disappointment and others welcoming the change.
This development marks a significant shift in the country’s national identity and is expected to spark further debate and discussion among Nigerians.