In a change in the laws, President Bola Tinubu has approved the National Anthem Bill 2024, bringing back Nigeria’s initial anthem.“Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

This update was disclosed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio at a joint gathering of the National Assembly.

Bringing back the original anthem, which was Nigeria’s national song from independence in 1960 to 1978, signifies a reversion to the country’s early post-independence period.

“Nigeria, We Hail Thee”The anthem was penned by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate, and set to music by Frances Berda.

While the anthem initially played a key role in defining the national identity, it received criticism over time due to the non-Nigerian origin of its composer.

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) led the recent legislative adjustment, which garnered strong backing from fellow lawmakers.

Supporters of the bill claimed that the original anthem represents a more powerful symbol of national unity, peace, and prosperity, surpassing the significance of the later version.
Arise, O Compatriots.”

Legislators highlighted that the existing anthem was created during a military rule and did not capture the essence of national values, ethics, and traditions embodied in the original independence anthem.

The old anthem reads: “Nigeria, we hail thee, our dear native land…”However, what are the lyrics to the rest of the old national anthem?

Here is the national anthem provided below:

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.