'Is he not informed?' - Nigerians drag Bassey for singing old anthem 'Arise O Compatriots'

Fresh from an impressive AFCON 2025 campaign where he earned a spot in the CAF Best XI, Fulham defender Calvin Bassey has found himself at the centre of a hilarious national debate. 

The passionate defender was spotted in a viral video returning to club duties, proudly wearing his Super Eagles tracksuit, but it was his choice of soundtrack that had Nigerians talking.

In the clip, Bassey is seen vibing and singing along to “Arise O Compatriots”, the national anthem that was officially replaced by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration in May 2024.

For many Nigerians, the old anthem remains the ‘real’ one, and Bassey’s singing felt like a subtle act of rebellion, even if it was accidental. 

Nigerians were quick to flood social media with ‘vawulence’ and lighthearted calls for the arrest of the Super Eagles star defender.

“Na to arrest Calvin Bassey for playing the old national anthem,” one user joked, while another asked with mock concern, “Bassey is not informed Tinubu changed the National Anthem?”

The confusion continued as fans pointed out that the 25-year-old might be out of the loop regarding current Nigerian legislation. One supporter lamented, “Unfortunately it is no longer ‘Arise o Compatriot!’ It is now ‘Nigeria we hail thee.’ So no one told him?”

Bassey wasn't alone in the video; he was later seen in the Fulham canteen alongside teammate Samuel Chukwueze, with the familiar strains of the 1978 anthem still playing in the background. 

For a large section of the "X" (formerly Twitter) community, Bassey’s choice was a win for nostalgia.

One fan stood firmly behind the defender, stating, “That's the national anthem we all love... I no understand that 'brotherhood we stand' one.”

 Another echoed the sentiment, thanking the defender: “Thanks @CalvinBassey for retaining the Original National Anthem of Nigeria instead of the new one.”

The Nigerian government reverted to the colonial-era anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” on May 29, 2024, immediately after the current administration was officially sworn in. 

While the move sparked heavy criticism at the time, it is now the official song for all state and sporting events.  

However, after spending weeks in the intense Super Eagles bubble at AFCON 2025, it appears Bassey hasn't quite mastered the lyrics to the "new-old" anthem yet.

Despite the anthem drama, Bassey's stock remains sky-high. His defensive masterclasses in Morocco helped Nigeria secure a bronze medal and cemented his reputation as one of the continent's elite defenders.

Whether he’s singing "Arise O Compatriots" or "Nigeria We Hail Thee," one thing is clear: Nigerian fans are just happy that their star centre-back is passionate about the country and proud about his heritage.