The National Orientation Agency (NOA) released the standardized version of Nigeria’s reintroduced national anthem. Originally composed by British expatriate Lillian Jean Williams, this anthem was in use from 1960 to 1978.
However, it was reinstated by President Bola Tinubu, who signed a bill on May 29 to revert to the old anthem, a move that has drawn mixed reactions from the public.
Following the reintroduction, multiple versions of the anthem surfaced across the country, prompting the NOA to ensure a unified version. The NOA had previously assured Nigerians that an official, standardized version would be released after consultations with relevant stakeholders.
Unveiling the standardized anthem in Abuja, Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director-General of the NOA, emphasized the importance of uniformity in the lyrics.
He stated, “Today’s event is to present the official version which will clear all doubts about the correct lyrics as contained in the Act signed by the President.”
The standardized version features only one minor alteration. In the first stanza, the word “and” in line five was corrected to “are,” making the line read, “Nigerians all, are proud to serve.”
Issa-Onilu highlighted key parts of the anthem for public attention, stating, “We call the attention of Nigerians to line three of the first stanza, which reads: Though tribes and tongues may differ. Note that the words ‘tribes’ and ‘tongues’ are in plural. We also want you to note that line five of the first stanza reads: Nigerians all, are proud to serve. The word ‘are,’ not ‘and,’ is correct.”
The NOA’s clarification aims to ensure that all Nigerians sing the national anthem with the correct lyrics, fostering unity and national pride.
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
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.
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