FACT-CHECK: Did President Tinubu Spend ₦12 Billion on the Change of National Anthem?
BY: Sonaike Peter
Claim:
The President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, spent ₦12 billion on changing the Nigeria’s national anthem on May 29, 2024.
Verdict:
False! There is no credible evidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or the Nigerian Federal Government spent ₦12 billion on changing Nigeria’s national anthem in 2024. The claim is not corroborated by available budget records, official statements from the presidency or credible media reports.
Full Text:
A claim alleging that President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, spent ₦12 billion to change Nigeria’s national anthem went viral on several social media platforms.
The allegation was made by Rotimi Amaechi, the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), during a recent interview with Channels Television journalist, Seun Okinbaloye.
Amaechi raised the allegation while criticising the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Recall that Nigeria’s national anthem was changed on May 29, 2024, after President Tinubu assented to the National Anthem Bill 2024, which reverted the country to its former anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
The anthem had originally been adopted at independence in 1960 before it was replaced by “Arise, O Compatriots” in 1978.
Following the President’s assent, the National Assembly sang the reinstated anthem during its joint sitting on May 29, 2024. The Federal Government subsequently released the approved and standardised version through the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
The claim has since gone viral on social media, with some users describing the alleged ₦12 billion as a white elephant project.
One X user, identified as Shehu Gasali Sadiz, also asserted the same claim.
He wrote, “Nigerians never knew that Tinubu changed the National Anthem with N12billion.Amaechi just made the revelation on the 30th of September 2026.”
He added, “Did the national assembly approve this? Is it budgeted for?Nigerians should ask questions.”
The tweet, as of the time of filling this report, had gained huge traction, garnering over 105,000 views. The claim can also be found here and here.
Verification:
Findings by FactCheckAfrica found no evidence substantiating the claim that ₦12 billion was spent on changing Nigeria’s national anthem.
FactCheckAfrica reviewed available information on the 2024 national budget and reports surrounding the passage and implementation of the National Anthem Bill.
The 2024 Appropriation Act, published by the Budget Office of the Federation, is the official budget document against which claims of federal expenditure in 2024 can be examined.
However, there is no evidence in the available records showing a ₦12 billion allocation specifically for changing Nigeria’s national anthem.
Reports on the passage and implementation of the National Anthem Bill in May 2024 focused on the legislative process and the President’s assent.
Rotimi Amerchi did not provide any evidence corroborating that ₦12 billion was spent on the anthem change. During the interview, Amaechi himself noted that he could not independently confirm the allegation.
Therefore, the statement cannot be treated as an established fact merely because it was made by a prominent political figure.
Conclusion:
There is no credible evidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or the Nigerian government spent ₦12 billion on changing Nigeria’s national anthem in 2024.
The available 2024 budget records do not establish a ₦12 billion allocation for the anthem change, while official statements and credible media reports on the passage and implementation of the National Anthem Bill contain no evidence of such expenditure.
The claim that Tinubu spent ₦12 billion on changing Nigeria’s national anthem is therefore false and unsupported by available evidence.
This recent allegation raises concern about the precedent of opposition candidates making unsubstantiated claims in a bid to gain the support of the people and win elections.
