Pulse Nigeria is the most followed news and entertainment platform, informing and engaging young Nigerians round the clock, providing updates by the hour.

Pulse Nigeria

Nigerian celebrities react to Tinubu signing the old anthem back into law.

Here's how Joeboy and other Nigerian celebrities reacted to the new National anthem | Pulse Nigeria

Ibukunoluwa Daramola

<h2><strong>Nigerians have now been thrown a curveball after President Bola Tinubu signed a bill</strong><a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/senators-passes-bill-seeking-return-to-old-national-anthem/dlb9cbb"><strong> </strong></a><strong>to change the national anthem from <em>“Arise, O Compatriots” </em>to<em> “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”</em>&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>This <a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/tinubu-approves-bill-restoring-old-national-anthem/qfclp7c" title="Here's how Joeboy and other Nigerian celebrities reacted to the new National anthem">swift change</a> has led to a chain of various reactions from Nigerians across social media, celebrities included.</p>

<p><strong>Lillian Jean Williams</strong>, a British expatriate who resided in Nigeria during its independence era, wrote the lyrics for<em> “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,”</em> while&nbsp;<em>"Arise O Compatriots"</em> was written by <strong>Pa Benedict Odiase</strong>, a Nigerian composer.</p>

<p>Here's how some Nigerian celebrities reacted to the news:</p>

<p>Nigerian singer Joeboy expressed his displeasure over the change on X, saying, <em>"Of all the problems Nigerians have to deal with, changing the national anthem is priority? Okay naw."</em></p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Of all the problems Nigerians have to deal with,changing the national anthem is priority? Okay naw.</p>&mdash; LAVIDA BOY (@Joeboy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Joeboy/status/1795820032158834923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

</div>

<h3><strong>2. Adekunle Gold</strong></h3>

<p>Afrobeats singer Adekunle Gold reacted to a fan's post on X which said, <em>"In my opinion, our President should just pay Adekunle Gold and adopt his new song ‘Rodo’ as our national anthem. We have seen enough of it</em>."</p>

<p>Humorously, the singer agreed saying, <em>"That one sef dey." </em>He also posted on X<em> “No one thought Timi Dakolo’s Great Nation makes a better anthem?”</em></p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">That one sef dey <a href="https://t.co/3Z5T2naukd">https://t.co/3Z5T2naukd</a></p>&mdash; BIG FISH 🦈 (@adekunleGOLD) <a href="https://twitter.com/adekunleGOLD/status/1795825509626236947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

</div>

<p>Upon hearing the news, singer Teni took to X to express her fondness for the now-changed anthem.</p>

<p>She said, <em>"Arise o compatriots, I’ll miss you, thank you for so many childhood memories. Till we meet again, love SM."</em></p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Arise o compatriots, I’ll miss you, thank you for so many child hood memories. till<br>we meet again, love SM</p>&mdash; THE REAL IDAN (@TeniEntertainer) <a href="https://twitter.com/TeniEntertainer/status/1795813270298775566?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

</div>

<h3><strong>4. Kate Henshaw</strong></h3>

<p>Following the change in the Nigerian anthem, Nigerian actress Kate Henshaw took to X to criticise the decision, highlighting the existing issues in Nigeria.</p>

<p><em>"In the midst of excoriating hardship &amp; lack of good governance on every level but not to worry going back to a colonial anthem will be a soothing balm and inject patriotism back into our veins, a much needed drug,"</em> she said sarcastically.</p>

<p>She also reposted another X user's post which read, "<em>Nigeria has seriously warped priorities. How does the national anthem have any bearing on the difficulties and issues we are facing right now? Nigeria we really hail thee.</em>"</p>

<p>Another post she made read,<em> "The labour of our heroes past, O ti lo."</em></p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In the midst of excoriating hardship &amp; lack of good governance on every level but not to worry 😏 going back to a colonial anthem will be a soothing balm and inject patriotism back into our veins, a much needed drug.🚶‍♀️‍➡️🚶‍♀️‍➡️🚶‍♀️‍➡️🚶‍♀️‍➡️🚶‍♀️‍➡️</p>&mdash; Kate Amaka Henshaw (@HenshawKate) <a href="https://twitter.com/HenshawKate/status/1796077232248537204?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

</div>

<h3><strong>5. Chinedu Ekedieze, AKA Aki</strong></h3>

<p>Nollywood actor Chinedu Ekedieze responded to the news by saying, <em>"Can we also add some other colours to the green white green?"</em></p>

Chinedu Ekedieze's comment [Instagram/Mazitundeednut]

<p>Nigerian singer and socialite Charly Boy completely disapproved of the change, stressing that there are bigger issues in Nigeria like hunger.</p>

<p>His post on Instagram read, <em>"Misplaced priorities, incompetence, greed and the almighty CORRUPTION can never be covered up by false propaganda. My people, Wetin dey worry us pass for dis country, HUNGER or NATIONAL ANTHEM?"</em></p>

<p>Veteran Comedian <strong>Otaghware Onodjayeke</strong>, popularly known as I Go Save charged the government to revert Nigeria to its former glory where things were cheaper.</p>

<p>He said, <em>"Since Una don bring back old national anthem, can you people bring back our old solar price, old fuel prices, old flight prompt operating style, old taxation, old security standards et al?"</em></p>

I Go Save's story post [Instagram/Igosave]

<p>Big Brother Naija star Pere expressed his confusion on Instagram, asking, "<em>What’s the reason for this? And who wrote the old anthem?"</em></p>

Pere's comment [Instagram/Mazitundeednut]

Joeboy drops new single ‘Only God Can Save Me’

Here's how Joeboy and other Nigerian celebrities reacted to the new National anthem

Pulse Picks

Business

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Politics

Local

Metro

World

News 

Celebrities

Music

Movies

Fashion

Beauty & Health

Relationships & Weddings

Food & Travel

Domestic

International 

Sports 

Celebrity Picks

Pulse Marketing

Explore categories

Influencer Awards

Company Pages

Breaking News & Top Stories | Pulse Nigeria

Video

Checkout our authors for the latest content across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Nigeria 

Authors | Pulse Nigeria

| Pulse Nigeria

Read the latest news across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Nigeria

Search for the latest content across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Nigeria

Search Results | Pulse Nigeria

Watch the latest videos across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Nigeria