House of Reps Proposes N5 Million Fine, 10-Year Prison Sentence for Refusal to Recite National Anthem

The House of Representatives has introduced the Counter Subversion Bill 2024, proposing stringent penalties for Nigerians who fail to recite the national anthem. This proposed legislation includes fines of N5 million and a possible 10-year prison sentence for offenders.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who sponsors the bill, aims to address broader acts deemed subversive to the nation. The bill outlines severe consequences for destroying national symbols, refusing to recite the national anthem and pledge, defacing places of worship with the intent to incite violence, or undermining the Federal Government.

The bill also extends to other offenses, such as setting up illegal roadblocks, unauthorized traffic duties, imposing illegal curfews, or organizing unlawful processions. Individuals convicted of these offenses could face a fine of N2 million, a five-year prison term, or both.

Additional stipulations include penalties for forcefully taking over any place of worship, town hall, school, or similar venues, with convictions carrying a fine of N5 million or a 10-year prison sentence, or both. Membership in organizations that disregard Nigeria’s sovereignty could lead to a fine of N3 million or a four-year prison term, or both.

This legislative move follows President Bola Tinubu’s recent signing of a bill reinstating Nigeria’s old national anthem, originally dropped in 1978 by a military government. The newly re-adopted anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was penned by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda.