BREAKING: "Nigeria Returns to Using Old National Anthem

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law, reinstating the country's original anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee"

In a historic move that has stirred the hearts of many, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law, reinstating the country's original anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee". 

This decision marks a significant shift from the anthem recognized since 1978, "Arise O Compatriots," and has been met with a wave of nostalgia and reflection across the nation.

The bill, which rapidly cleared both the Senate and the House of Representatives, was signed on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, a date that will now be etched in the annals of Nigeria's history. 

The signing ceremony was a poignant moment, with lawmakers joining the President in singing the old anthem for the first time since its reinstatement¹.

"Nigeria, We Hail Thee," composed at the dawn of Nigeria's independence, has always been more than just a song; it's a symbol of the country's heritage and unity. Its return is seen by many as a homage to the values and aspirations that shaped Nigeria's identity at its birth.

As the nation embraces this change, it's an opportunity to reflect on the journey thus far and to rekindle the spirit of patriotism and solidarity that the anthem represents. It's a call to remember and to look forward with hope and determination.

This change is not just about a song; it's about what the song represents, a Nigeria united under a banner of peace, progress, and prosperity.

The Anthem

Here are the full lyrics of the reinstated Nigerian national anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee":

Stanza 1:

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.

Stanza 2:

Our flag shall be a symbol

That truth and justice reign,

In peace or battle honored,

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.

These powerful words evoke a sense of unity, pride, and hope for a better future. Let us embrace this anthem as a reminder of our shared heritage and the responsibility we have to uphold the values it represents. 🇳🇬🎵

Hope We would all adapt to this and; don't ask how this would change Nigeria.

Source: 

(1) BREAKING: Tinubu signs bill returning old national anthem into law. [Punch Ng].

(2) Tinubu signs bill reinstating Nigeria's old national anthem into law [Telegraph Ng].