President Bola Tinubu’s decision to revert to Nigeria’s precolonial national anthem, discarded in 1978, has sparked a wave of speculation and conspiracy theories. Here are some of the circulating suspicions:

1. Appeasing the West: Some believe Tinubu aims to placate Britain and the West after failing to use his ECOWAS leadership to reintegrate Niger Republic under French and Western influence.
2. Political Payback: Others suggest Tinubu is rewarding Britain and the West for their silence on his alleged role in the END-SARS massacre and the controversies surrounding his 2023 election victory.
3. Personal Vendetta: There is speculation that Tinubu’s move is retaliation against former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who changed the anthem during his military rule and had past conflicts with Tinubu.
4. Adviser Influence: Another theory posits that renowned writer Wole Soyinka, a close adviser, influenced the decision out of personal envy towards other internationally acclaimed Nigerian scholars.

Amid these theories, many Nigerians are questioning the relevance of this change. They wonder how altering the national anthem addresses the country’s pressing issues.

Why would a president of a troubled nation prioritize changing the national anthem over more urgent matters? The debate continues.