The Nigerian Senate held an executive session on Thursday to debate the potential restoration of the country’s former national anthem.
The bill proposing to change Nigeria’s national anthem has successfully passed through the first and second readings in the Senate. The bill, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, seeks to replace the current anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” with the previous version that was in place before the 1978 amendment during the military regime of Olusegun Obasanjo.
During an executive session held on Thursday, May 23, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele referred the bill proposing a change to Nigeria’s national anthem to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters. The committee has been tasked with reporting back to the Senate within two weeks on their findings and recommendations.
In the view of supportive lawmakers, the current national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” is a remnant of Nigeria’s military past, having been imposed by decree during the nation’s period of military rule. Consequently, they argue that it is time to replace the anthem with one that better reflects the country’s democratic principles, upholds its integrity, and fosters a stronger sense of commitment to nationhood.
