Nigeria changes their national anthem, which some critics say is a diversion

On Wednesday, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu signed a measure returning to the national anthem that was written by a British expatriate and accepted at independence. Some viewed this as a cunning diversion from the country’s worsening economic situation.

“Arise O’ Compatriots” will now be replaced with “We Hail Thee”. There was no legislative debate surrounding the hurried adoption of the bill that was filed last Thursday.

During Tinubu’s first year in power, which he celebrated on Wednesday by addressing parliament, Nigeria’s economy collapsed and inflation hit a 28-year high of 33.20%.

Olusegun Obasanjo, the military president of the country at the time, abolished the independence hymn in 1978. He did not provide an official explanation, but it was assumed that the reason was that the song had been written by a British national during British colonial control.

Some Nigerians, who are reeling from the country’s economic crises and deteriorating security, find the move hard to believe.

According to Cheta Nwanze, principal partner at SBM Intelligence, “it is a waste of time,” as she told Reuters. “What is more important are inflation and security problems, that is what the government should squarely be looking at.”