The United African Republic - Nigeria's proposed new name

  "The people formerly known as Nigerians now wish to be called Uranium"
What is someone from the United African Republic called? Uranium or Urea?

The answer is keeping many Nigerians awake as they chew over a proposal to change the name of the country.

For two weeks, federal lawmakers have been traversing the country collating citizens' views to amend the constitution.

The idea was to gather suggestions for amendments such as electoral reforms and the system of government.

But citizen Adeleye Jokotoye, a tax consultant, dropped something of a bombshell at the hearing in Lagos.

He wants the name of the country changed as it was an imposition by Nigeria's past colonial masters.

The name Nigeria was suggested in the late 19th Century by British journalist Flora Shaw, who would later marry the British colonial administrator Lord Frederick Lugard.

It is derived from the River Niger which enters the country from the north-west and flows down to the Niger Delta where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean through its many tributaries.

But Mr Jokotoye wants the name changed and his choice of United African Republic - to reflect the hundreds of ethnic groups that comprise the country - has blown a storm.

These Twitter users have a theory where the idea for United African Republic, or UAR, came from:

    United Arab Emirates - UAE
    United African Republic - UAR

    Ladies and gentlemen, our country is just an “E” away from being like Dubai pic.twitter.com/SctxMWxWTZ
    — This Girl is Blessed (@Girl_isBlessed) June 2, 2021

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter
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    Must have thought United in the name makes the country rich. United African Republic (UAR) like the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, United States. Lol. Someone spent weeks working on that idea. Probably even got a grant. Lol. I am tired.
    — JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) June 2, 2021

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter
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There is already a new anthem, which isn't entirely new but a remix of the "old" Nigeria's:

    Arise, O compatriots,
    United African Republic call obey
    To serve our Fatherland
    With love and strength and faith.
    The labour of our heroes past
    Shall never be in vain,
    To serve with heart and might
    One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.