Hommam Al Nassim 
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has re-adopted the old national anthem that was adopted upon the country’s independence, sparking the anger of the people amid a stifling economic crisis ravaging the country.
“Returning to the old national anthem allows us to pay tribute to the diversity of the Nigerian nation, which represents all peoples,” Tinubu said.
This decision sparked angry reactions among Nigerians, many of whom live on less than two dollars a day.
In this context, Obamoh Kemi, 27 years old, who works in a company canteen in Abuja, told Agence France-Presse: “We need to focus on our ability to secure our strength and not on the national anthem.”
Kimmy added: “I have a six-month-old child and I do this job every day, and I still cannot provide what I need.”
For his part, the Nigerian President celebrated the adoption of the new national anthem at the presidential palace on Wednesday, coinciding with his celebration of his first year in power.
This year witnessed a series of economic reforms that resulted in a tripling of gasoline prices and an increase in the total cost of living, which increased the suffering of citizens.
Tinubu repeatedly called for patience, stressing that the negative effects of his measures were temporary.
Members of the presidential party believe that the old anthem will benefit Nigeria, as Senator Tahir Monguno expressed his hope that it will strengthen “patriotism and cooperation and chart the way toward greater unity.”
But this enthusiasm was not reflected in the streets of the Nigerian capital. Nelson Obi, a 27-year-old IT expert, told Agence France-Presse: “There is nothing to be proud of. The ongoing power outages must first be addressed and help create job opportunities.”
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