Presidency Clears Air On Tinubu’s Viral Anthem Video

The Presidency has dismissed a viral video circulating on social media showing President Bola Tinubu, members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), and other government officials reciting the former national anthem, describing the footage as outdated.

According to reports, the video resurfaced online with claims that it was recorded during a recent FEC meeting. In the clip, President Tinubu is seen entering the meeting venue, exchanging greetings with attendees before the rendition of the old national anthem, which begins with the words, “Arise, O Compatriots,” instead of the current anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

Responding to the claims, the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Segun Dada, stated via his verified X account that the footage was recorded during a Federal Executive Council meeting held in either 2023 or 2024, long before the reintroduction of the current national anthem.

To support his position, Dada pointed out that the video featured former Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, who resigned from office in October 2024 due to health concerns. He also noted that the Ministry of Niger Delta appeared in the footage despite the ministry having been dissolved in October 2024.

Dada further emphasized that the current national anthem officially came into effect on May 29, 2024, making it impossible for a recent FEC meeting to have opened with the former anthem. He concluded that the viral clip was being misleadingly presented as a current event and criticized those responsible for circulating it, accusing them of spreading misinformation and undermining professional journalism.