Prominent figures across Nigeria have strongly criticized a controversial bill proposed by the House of Representatives that seeks to impose a 10-year prison sentence on individuals who refuse to recite the national anthem. The bill, sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, is set for its second reading, where lawmakers will debate its general principles.
The bill follows President Bola Tinubu’s May decision to sign into law the re-adoption of Nigeria’s old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” which was originally written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda. The anthem was replaced by the current “Arise, O Compatriots” in 1978 under a military regime.
The proposed legislation stipulates that anyone found guilty of refusing to recite the national anthem, defacing national symbols, or engaging in activities intended to undermine the Federal Government would face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both. The bill also includes penalties for unauthorized roadblocks, illegal curfews, and forceful takeovers of public or private spaces, with fines ranging from N2 million to N5 million and prison sentences of up to 10 years.
The reintroduction of the old national anthem has sparked widespread dissent, with notable activists openly expressing their refusal to comply. In May, Nigerian activist Aisha Yesufu made headlines when she chose to sit during the recitation of the anthem, stating she would prefer to remain silent rather than sing the revived version.
On Wednesday, Yesufu reiterated her stance on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “I will choose 20 years in prison than sing Tinubu’s anthem passed by slaves masquerading as lawmakers in the National Assembly.”
Similarly, former Minister of Solid Minerals, Obiageli Ezekwesili, took to social media to voice her opposition. In a tweet, she affirmed her commitment to continue singing “Arise, O Compatriots,” which she considers the true national anthem. Ezekwesili criticized the proposed bill as “a silly flight of fancy” and accused lawmakers of being “unserious and irrelevant” to the nation’s needs.
Ezekwesili further warned that the bill represents a violation of constitutional processes and challenged the lawmakers to prosecute her if the legislation becomes law. She also accused the National Assembly of consistently subverting the progress of Nigeria through “legendary public misdemeanors” that contribute to bad governance.
As the debate over the bill continues, public figures and citizens alike have raised concerns about its implications for freedom of expression and the state of governance in Nigeria.
