President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law, returning Nigeria back to the old National Anthem “Nigeria, we hail thee.”
The president signed the bill into law on Wednesday.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives had passed the bill within a week.
With the signing, the National Anthem, ‘Arise O Compatriot’ will no longer be sung.
“Nigeria, We Hail Thee” is the former national anthem of Nigeria, used from independence in 1960 until 1978. Nigeria’s present anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” was adopted in 1978, replacing “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.
The anthem’s lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria when it achieved independence. Frances Berda composed the music for “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
On May 23, 2024, the House of Representatives passed a bill to revert from the current anthem to Nigeria, We Hail Thee.
Lyrics of the old National Anthem
Nigeria we hail thee
Our own dear native land
Though tribes and tongue may differ
In brotherhood we stand
Nigerians all, are 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 shall be blessed.
