Nigeria, We Hail Thee

Nigeria, We Hail Thee

The coat of arms of Nigeria
National anthem of Nigeria
Lyrics	Lillian Jean Williams, 1959
Music	Frances Benda, 1959
Adopted	1 October 1960 (1960-10-01)
Readopted	29 May 2024 (2024-05-29)
Relinquished	1 October 1978 (1978-10-01)
Preceded by	Arise, O Compatriots
Audio sample
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Nigeria, We Hail Thee is the national anthem of Nigeria. Dating to 1959, the lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams and the music was composed by Frances Benda. It was first used upon independence in 1960, until it was replaced by "Arise, O Compatriots" in 1978. "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was officially readopted on 29 May 2024.

History

"Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was adopted as Nigeria's national anthem on 1 October 1960.

A competition was held to select the music and lyrics of the anthem. The winning lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria when it achieved independence. Williams worked for the Federal Ministry of Labour and Welfare and donated her prize money to the Nigerian Red Cross.

Frances Benda composed the music for "Nigeria, We Hail Thee." In 2024, Tolu Ogunlesi identified that Benda was a pen name for Mrs Charles Kernot, a private music teacher and professional pianist at the Carol Hill School of Classical Ballet in London. Her composition was chosen by judges including Professor Fela Sowande, O. Omideyi, Thomas King Ekundayo Phillips, Wilberforce Echezona, M.C. Majekodunmi and H Lawson.

The song was used as the national anthem until it was replaced by "Arise, O Compatriots" in 1978.

On 23 May 2024, the National Assembly passed a bill to relinquish "Arise, O Compatriots" and readopt "Nigeria, We Hail Thee". The bill was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on 29 May 2024.

Lyrics

English original

Yoruba translation

I Nigeria, we hail thee, our own dear native land, Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand Nigerians all, are proud to serve our sovereign Motherland. II 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. III 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.

I Nàìjíríà a kí ọ, ilẹ̀ ìbí wa ọ̀wọ́n, Ẹyà àti èdè le yàtọ̀, a dúró ní 'ṣọ̀kan, Gbogbo wa la ó fayọ̀ sin, ilẹ̀ 'bí wa ọ̀wọ́n. II Àsìá wa yóò j'ámì, pé ẹ̀tọ̀ ló ń jọba Nígbà àlàáfíà, tàbi ogun, èyí yóò j'ẹ́rè wa, Láti fi lé ọmọ lọ́wọ́, àsìá 'làìlábàwọ́n. III Ọlọ́run gbogbo ẹ̀dá, gbọ́ àdúrà wa yìí, Jẹ̀ ká ní orílẹ̀-èdè, níbi ìrẹ́jẹ kòsí, K'àlàfíà àti ọ̀pọ̀, jẹ́' 'bùkún Nàìjíríà.

National Pledge

The Nigerian pledge of allegiance is recited immediately after the playing of the Nigerian national anthem. It was written by Felicia Adebola Adeyoyin in 1976.

English original	Hausa translation	Yoruba translation	Tyap translation
I pledge to Nigeria, my country To be faithful, loyal and honest To serve Nigeria with all my strength To defend her unity and uphold her honour and glory So help me, God.	Na yi wa Najeriya alƙawarin ƙasata Don zama mai aminci, mai aminci da gaskiya Don yiwa Najeriya hidima da dukkan ƙarfina Don kare hadin kan ta da kuma kare mutuncin ta da daukakar ta Don haka ku taimake ni Allah.	Mo ṣeleri fun Nàìjíríà orilẹ-ede mi Lati jẹ ol loyaltọ aduroṣinṣin ati otitọ Lati fi gbogbo ipa sin Nigeria Lati daabobo isokan rẹ Ki o si gbe iyi ati ogo rẹ ga Nitorina ran mi lọwọ Ọlọrun.	N da̱p a̱nu ma̱ng Naijeriya, a̱byin nung ka. N nyia̱ a̱cucuk, n nwuak a̱pyia̱ nung, n nyia̱ tsotswat. N nyia̱ Naijeriya ta̱m ma̱ng a̱lyia̱ a̱nyiung. N cok mun a̱pyia̱ nji hu. A̱wot, n di̱n a̱ma shi nji hu ma̱ng yet nji hu, Mat a̱nia, A̱gwaza beang nung.

Criticism

When "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was first adopted in 1960, the new national anthem faced criticism for a number of reasons. The Daily Service, a newspaper run by the Yoruba organisation Egbé Ọmọ Odùduwà, started a campaign against the national anthem, which led to a committee being established to collect signatures as a petition.

Following its readoption in 2024, the song was again criticised for the lack of consultation in passing the law designating it as the national anthem and for what was perceived to be misplaced priorities by the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Former education minister Oby Ezekwesili criticised the anthem's suitability, given the presence of "pejorative" words like "native land" and "tribes", and that she would continue to sing Arise, O Compatriots as the national anthem. A video of political activist Aisha Yesufu circulated online where she refused to recite "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" as the new national anthem.

Mohammed Tahir Monguno, chair of the parliamentary committee that pushed through the anthem's readoption, said that the change was "apt, timely and important", while Tinubu said the anthem symbolised Nigeria's diversity.