Tinubu Signs Bill Returning Old Anthem Into Law

'Nigeria, we hail thee' was officially declared by President Bola Tinubu as the nation's "latest national anthem" during a joint session of the National Assembly commemorating the fourth anniversary of Nigeria's independence.

The National Anthem Bill 2024, which reinstates the previous national anthem, "Nigeria, we hail thee," has received President Bola Tinubu's approval. At a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Nigeria's Fourth Republic, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated, "This morning, Mr. President signed into an Act of Parliament, the newly passed National Anthem 2024." The event took place on President Bola Tinubu's first anniversary in office. Later on in the joint session, Tinubu acknowledged that "Nigeria, we hail thee" was the "latest national anthem." The President will not be giving a speech, according to Akpabio, as he must depart to inaugurate the Abuja metro line. Instead, he explained that the main purpose of the gathering was to introduce the new national song.

The bill to change the national anthem from "Arise, O Compatriots" to "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was previously approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives during different sessions. The joint sitting adopted the former (and just signed) national anthem, "Nigeria, we hail thee," in place of the one that had been in use since 1978 after the President signed the bill reintroducing the old version. The song "Arise, O Compatriots" has been replaced by the older tune "Nigeria, we hail thee," which was written on October 1, 1960, the day Nigeria attained independence.

Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria during its independence, penned the lyrics for “Nigeria, we hail thee,” while Frances Berda composed the music. The anthem played a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s national identity and unity during the 1960s and late 1970s.

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. 

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