I Had Proposed In July 2014 That The Name Nigeria Should Be Changed To Iregin – Mike Ozekhome

Mike Ozekhome, a prominent Legal Practitioner and Human Rights Activist, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has expressed his support for reverting to the old National Anthem in a video posted on Viable Television’s YouTube Channel. He also reminisced about his 2014 proposal to change the country’s name from ‘Nigeria’ to ‘Iregin.’

Ozekhome argued that the name ‘Nigeria’ does not adequately represent the true essence of the Nigerian State. He elaborated on this by recounting the origins of the name, explaining that it was given by Flora Louisa Shaw, a British journalist, on January 8, 1878. Shaw derived the name from the Niger River area, which, according to Ozekhome, imposed a colonial legacy that does not reflect the nation’s identity.

During a conference in 2014, Ozekhome made a formal motion to change the country’s name. He proposed that Nigeria be renamed ‘Iregin’ by simply reversing the letters of ‘Nigeria.’ This proposal, he believed, would help shed the colonial burden associated with the current name. Despite his efforts, this proposal was not accepted, along with his suggestions regarding the national flag.

According to a video on Viable Television’s YouTube Channel Forward video to 5:26

Ozekhome’s advocacy underscores a broader discourse about national identity and the lingering effects of colonialism. His call for renaming the country and reverting to the old anthem reflects a desire to reclaim and redefine the nation’s cultural and historical narrative. While his proposals did not gain traction at the time, they highlight ongoing debates about national symbols and the significance of names in shaping a country’s identity…..See More

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