To mark his first anniversary in office, President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law, officially reinstating Nigeria’s original anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced this historic development during a joint session of the National Assembly.
“Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was penned by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate, and composed by Frances Berda. Despite its role in shaping national identity, the anthem has faced criticism over the years due to its composer’s foreign origin.
However, the recent legislative change, championed by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), received strong support from lawmakers who argued that the anthem promotes a stronger symbol of unity, peace, and prosperity compared to its successor, “Arise, O Compatriots.”
Here are the full lyrics to the reinstated anthem
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“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.
Lawmakers emphasized that the current anthem, introduced during a military regime, lacks the resonance of national values, ethics, and norms encapsulated in the independence anthem. They believe the reinstatement will foster a deeper sense of national pride and unity.