President Bola Tinubu has officially signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law, reinstating Nigeria’s old national anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee.” Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced this significant development during a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, marking the Silver Jubilee of Nigeria’s 4th Republic, coinciding with the first anniversary of Tinubu’s administration.
In his brief remarks at the joint session, Akpabio explained that the primary purpose of the sitting was to launch the new national anthem. He noted that President Tinubu would not be making an extended speech due to his commitment to inaugurate the Abuja metro line later in the day.
The Senate and the House of Representatives had previously passed the bill to revert the national anthem from “Arise, O Compatriots” to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” in separate sittings. Following the President’s assent, the joint session officially adopted the former anthem, which had been in place since Nigeria’s independence in 1960 until it was replaced in 1978.
The old anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee,” with lyrics penned by British expatriate Lillian Jean Williams and music composed by Frances Berda, played a significant role in unifying Nigeria during the 1960s and late 1970s. It symbolizes Nigeria’s rich heritage and aspirations for unity and justice.
Here 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.
