Lyrics Of Old National Anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” Newly Introduced By Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law, bringing back the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced this at a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

This marks a return to the anthem that was Nigeria’s national song from its independence in 1960 until 1978.

“Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was written by British expatriate Lillian Jean Williams and composed by Frances Berda. It was replaced by “Arise, O Compatriots” in 1978.

The bill, led by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), received strong support from lawmakers who argued that the original anthem symbolizes unity, peace, and prosperity better than the current one.

Advocates also noted that the current anthem was introduced during a military regime and lacks the national values, ethics, and norms that the original anthem represents.

Lyrics to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” are as follows:

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 honoured,
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.

KanyiDaily had reported how Nigerian singer and actress, Mercy Isoyip, also known as Descushiel, recited the national anthem wrongly during a police conference in Owerri, Imo State.