The Federal Government has released new directives on how the national anthem should be rendered at public and official events across the country.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), only the first stanza of the anthem is to be sung at official functions, while the third stanza will now serve as the National Prayer at the beginning of such occasions.
“Recite or sing only the first stanza — not all three — at official events. The third stanza should be recited as the National Prayer at the beginning of an event,” the statement read.
The NOA added that the full anthem — all three stanzas — will be reserved for special national occasions such as Independence Day, Presidential Inaugurations, Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Democracy Day (June 12), and the inauguration of the National Assembly.
“The three stanzas are to be sung only during events like Independence Day, the swearing-in of a President, Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Democracy Day, and National Assembly inaugurations,” the agency clarified.
The statement further directed that the National Pledge must always be recited at the end of events, emphasizing its importance as part of Nigeria’s civic culture.
In May 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed into law the bill that reintroduced the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” replacing “Arise, O Compatriots,” which had been in use since 1978.
Lyrics of the Reintroduced National Anthem
Stanza 1
Nigeria, we hail thee,
Our own dear native land,
Though tribes and tongues may differ,
In brotherhood we stand.
Nigerians all, are proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
Stanza 2
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.
Stanza 3 (National Prayer)
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.
