Confusion as President Tinubu, Ministers Recite Old National Anthem At FEC Meeting (Video)

• A video showing President Bola Tinubu and members of the Federal Executive Council reciting the old national anthem during a cabinet meeting has stirred reactions online, with many Nigerians questioning why the obsolete version was used.

There was mild drama during a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of his cabinet were seen reciting the old national anthem during the opening ceremony.

A video circulating online captured the moment the old anthem was played at the meeting, with President Tinubu and his ministers joining in the rendition.

The anthem performed began with the words, “Arise O’ Compatriots,” instead of the officially restored national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” which was reintroduced in 2024.

It remains unclear why the President and members of the Federal Executive Council sang the old anthem rather than the version currently recognised by law.

The video has since generated widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians questioning why the outdated anthem was used during an official government function.

President Tinubu signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law in May 2024, restoring “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as Nigeria’s official national anthem and replacing “Arise, O Compatriots,” which had been in use for decades.

The legislation was passed by both chambers of the National Assembly before being transmitted to the President for assent.

The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a joint sitting of the National Assembly held to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

According to Akpabio, the special session was convened to formally unveil the restored national anthem. He also informed lawmakers that President Tinubu would not deliver an address because he was scheduled to leave immediately afterward to inaugurate the Abuja Metro Line.

To ensure consistency in its rendition nationwide, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) released the standardised version of “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” in June 2024 for use across government institutions, schools and public events.

Before releasing the official version, the agency had said it would consult relevant “stakeholders” to prevent different renditions of the anthem from being used at official functions.

The reason behind the use of the old anthem at the latest FEC meeting has not been officially explained by the Presidency.