"Nigeria, We Hail Thee" is the national anthemofNigeria. Dating to 1959, the lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams and the music was composed by Frances Benda. It was first used upon independence in 1960, until it was replaced by "Arise, O Compatriots" in 1978.[2] "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was officially readopted on 29 May 2024, replacing "Arise, O Compatriots".[3]
"Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was adopted as Nigeria's national anthem on 1 October 1960. The anthem's lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a Britishexpatriate who lived in Nigeria when it achieved independence. Frances Benda composed the music for "Nigeria, We Hail Thee."[4][5] The song was used as the national anthem until it was replaced by "Arise, O Compatriots" in 1978.[4]
On 23 May 2024, the National Assembly passed a controversial bill to relinquish "Arise, O Compatriots" replacing it with "Nigeria, We Hail Thee". The bill was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on 29 May 2024.[6][7]
I
Nigeria, we hail thee,
Our own dear native land,
Though tribes and tongues may differ
In brotherhood we stand, Nigerians all, and proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
II
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.
III
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.
I pledge to Nigeria, my country
To be faithful, loyal and honest
To serve Nigeria with all my strength
To defend her unity
And uphold her honour and glory So help me God.[9]
Na yi wa ƙasata Najeriya alƙawari
Zan zama mai amana, mai aminci da gaskiya
Zan yiwa Najeriya hidima da dukkan ƙarfina
Zan kare hadin kan ta da
Kuma kare mutuncin ta da daukakar ta
A kokarin yin haka Allah ka taimake ni.
Mo ṣeleri fun Nàìjíríà orilẹ-ede mi
Lati jẹ ol loyaltọ aduroṣinṣin ati otitọ
Lati fi gbogbo ipa sin Nigeria
Lati daabobo isokan rẹ
Ki o si gbe iyi ati ogo rẹ ga
Nitorina ran mi lọwọ Ọlọrun.
N da̱p a̱nu ma̱ng Naijeriya, a̱byin nung ka.
N nyia̱ a̱cucuk, n nwuak a̱pyia̱ nung, n nyia̱ tsotswat.
N nyia̱ Naijeriya ta̱m ma̱ng a̱lyia̱ a̱nyiung.
N cok mun a̱pyia̱ nji hu.
A̱wot, n di̱n a̱ma shi nji hu ma̱ng yet nji hu,
Mat a̱nia, A̱gwaza beang nung.
When "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was first adopted in 1960, the new national anthem faced criticism for a number[quantify] of reasons. The Daily Service, a newspaper run by the Yoruba organisation Egbé Ọmọ Odùduwà, started a campaign against the national anthem, which led to a committee being established to collect signatures as a petition.[10]
Following its readoption in 2024, the song was again criticised for the lack of consultation in passing the law designating it as the national anthem and for what was perceived to be misplaced priorities by the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Former education minister Oby Ezekwesili criticised the anthem's suitability, given the presence of "pejorative" words like "native land" and "tribes", and that she would continue to sing Arise, O Compatriots as the national anthem.[11][12] A video of political activist Aisha Yesufu circulated online where she refused to recite "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" as the new national anthem.[13]
Mohammed Tahir Monguno, chair of the parliamentary committee that pushed through the anthem's readoption, said that the change was "apt, timely and important", while Tinubu said the anthem symbolised Nigeria's diversity.[11][12]
Nigeria
