LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) -The Super Eagles Of Nigeria have defied the country’s recent national anthem law by singing the “Arise O Compatriot” anthem instead of the newly reinstated “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” before their 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Benin Republic on Monday, June 10.
The Super Eagles players opted to perform the “old anthem” at the start of the match at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, according to PUNCH.
This development comes just about two weeks after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the national anthem Bill 2024 into law on May 29, reinstating the original “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the country’s official national anthem.
The decision by the Super Eagles to disregard the new legislation has sparked controversy and flurry of reactions among Nigerians.
@AustineOBrian wrote on x, “We have two different 1000, 500 and 200 Naira Notes. So there’s nothing wrong having two National Anthems. Use the one that becomes handy”
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@Manlike_ED said, “Sack everyone responsible for this embarrassment.”
@ndu_chikka4 wrote,”This is the fault of the Nigeria mission in Benin”
@Akin_malaolu wrote, “There may be two reasons for this; “1) If the new national Anthem is not in the Gazette. 2) If the Nigerian players are not aware of any change. The spirit of Arise O Compatriot is still alive and well.”
@Abradinho1 said, “Tinubu national anthem is in Dustin bin now . That man just dey bring confusion here and there to divert attentions away from his total failure in all ramifications.”
@Nkmac2 wrote, “We are in the dispensation of anything goes. Really sad. In the lads minds there is more to ponder upon not this thing that was agreed without our contribution or opinion. They are struggling with finidi’s tactics adding this will be disastrous.. Nawa oh”
@KvngLerry said, “Because the Nigeria we hail thee is not motivational, it cannot inspire confidence or patriotism in the boys, in short it is nonsensical.”