In a historic move, President Bola Tinubu has assented to the National Anthem Bill 2024, reverting Nigeria’s national anthem to the old classic “Nigeria, we hail thee.”
The announcement was made on Wednesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a joint session of the National Assembly, marking the Silver Jubilee of Nigeria’s 4th Republic. The occasion coincided with the first anniversary of President Tinubu’s administration.
Confirming the change, President Tinubu stated “‘Nigeria, we hail thee’ is the latest national anthem.” Akpabio explained that the sitting was primarily convened to launch the new/old national anthem, as the President had to leave to inaugurate the Abuja metro line.
The Senate and House of Representatives had previously passed the legislation to swap the national anthem from “Arise, O Compatriots” back to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” at separate sittings.
With the President’s signing of the bill, the joint sitting immediately jettisoned the anthem that has been in use since 1978, to adopt the former (and newly reinstated) national anthem “Nigeria, we hail thee.”
The old anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee,” was composed when Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960. The lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria during its independence, while the music was composed by Frances Berda.
The anthem played a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s national identity and unity during the 1960s and late 1970s. Its revival is seen as a move to recapture the country’s patriotic spirit and reconnect with its historical roots.
What are the lyrics to Nigeria We Hail Thee?
Nigeria, we hail thee,
Our own dear native land,
Though tribe and tongue may differ,
In brotherhood, we stand,
Nigerians all, and proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign,
In peace or battle honour’d,
And this we count as gain,
To hand on to our children
A banner without stain.
O God of all creation,
Grant this our one request,
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed,
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria may be blessed.
