A moment of confusion emerged during a recent Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his cabinet ministers were captured on camera reciting the national anthem that was officially retired in 2024.
During the opening ceremony, the audio played was that of the former anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” prompting the President and his cabinet to sing along to the discontinued lyrics.
This incident has sparked significant public discussion, primarily because the administration itself signed the legislation restoring “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the official national anthem just last year.
By reverting to the melody and lyrics of “Arise, O Compatriots”—which served Nigeria for decades—the event has raised questions regarding protocol and internal awareness of the new national standards.
The reintroduced anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” has been the legally mandated version since the 2024 transition.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official clarification from the presidency regarding why the incorrect anthem was played or why it was adopted by the council members in attendance.
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