President Bola Tinubu has defended the government’s decision to reintroduce the old national anthem, ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’.

This comes after he signed a bill reinstating the former anthem, sparking controversy and public debate.

During a meeting with the Arewa Consultative Forum at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, President Tinubu addressed the criticism, stating that the reintroduction of the old national anthem is indeed a priority for him.

“Let me allude to something that happened yesterday. The change of national anthem, ‘Nigeria, we hail thee’. Some people say, is that your priority? It’s my priority,” Tinubu said.

“I agree with the National Assembly. If they make a law, I’ve got to obey that law, or we disagree openly and close the chapter.”

He emphasized the importance of maintaining national unity and diversity, referencing the historical context of Nigeria’s name.

“But the question of diversity. Who gave us the name Nigeria? Is it not Britain? Or somewhere? Have we changed our name? We are Nigerians. Our passport shows that. As long as we are Nigerians and one family, we remain and protect our diversity and love one another as brothers and sisters,” the president added.

The decision to bring back the old anthem has faced widespread backlash from Nigerians. Many have criticized it as a misplaced priority, especially given the country’s current economic challenges.

Tinubu’s recent policies, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, have led to increased hardship for many citizens.

Despite the criticism, Tinubu remains firm in his stance, defending the reintroduction of ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’ as a significant step in preserving the nation’s heritage and unity.