Nigeria, We Hail Thee
Nigeria, We Hail Thee is the national anthem of Nigeria. Written by British expatriate Lillian Jean Williams and composed by Frances Benda in 1959, it served as Nigeria's anthem from its independence on October 1, 1960, until it was replaced by "Arise, O Compatriots" in 1978.[2]
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National anthem of  Nigeria | |
| Lyrics | Lillian Jean Williams[1], 1959 |
|---|---|
| Music | Frances Benda, 1959 |
| Adopted | 1 October 1960 |
| Readopted | 29 May 2024 |
| Relinquished | 1 October 1978 |
| Preceded by | Arise, O Compatriots |
| Audio sample | |
Nigeria, We Hail Thee | |
The anthem was officially reinstated on May 29, 2024, following a bill signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.[3]
LYRICS
Stanza 1:
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.
Stanza 2:
Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign,
In peace or battle honored,
And this we count as gain,
To hand on to our children
A banner without stain.
Stanza 3:
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
History
"Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was introduced in 1960 as Nigeria's first national anthem to reflect the country’s newfound independence and unity. It was created in anticipation of Nigeria's transition to self-governance, with the lyrics emphasizing patriotism, service, and divine guidance.
In 1978, it was replaced by "Arise, O Compatriots" after concerns that the anthem lacked local input, as it was written and composed by expatriates.
In 2024, a renewed sense of nostalgia and calls to return to Nigeria's roots led to the anthem's reinstatement.[4]
Significance
The anthem is a tribute to Nigeria's diversity and unity, calling on citizens to honor the sacrifices of the nation’s founders. Its reinstatement symbolizes a recommitment to Nigeria's foundational ideals and values.
Legacy
Despite its replacement in 1978, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" remained culturally significant as a historic symbol of independence. Its reinstatement in 2024 reflects a deliberate effort to embrace the nation's early identity while honoring the past.
- ↑ "Standardised lyrics of reintroduced National Anthem released". 5 June 2024.
- ↑ "Nigeria's National Anthem Composer, Pa Ben Odiase, Dies". Gazelle News. 2013-06-12. Archived from the original on 2017-09-27. Retrieved 2013-07-08.
- ↑ Prince, S. David. "BREAKING: "Nigeria Returns to Using Old National Anthem". SDP Blog. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ↑ S. David Prince (24 November 2024). "Nigeria Returns to Using Old National Anthem".