Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate living in Nigeria during its independence era, penned the lyrics for “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” with the music composed by Frances Berda.
President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Anthem Bill 2024, reinstating the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced this during a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, May 29, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Nigeria’s 4th Republic.
As reported by Channels TV, President Tinubu attended the session, which focused on unveiling the reinstated anthem. Akpabio noted that while the President was present for this significant event, he would not deliver a speech, as he had to leave to inaugurate the Abuja metro line.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives had previously approved the legislation to revert the national anthem from “Arise, O Compatriots” to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” in separate sessions. The anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” has now been officially replaced by the earlier anthem, first adopted upon Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960.
The lyrics of “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate living in Nigeria during its independence era, with music composed by Frances Berda. This anthem played a crucial role in fostering Nigeria’s national identity and promoting unity during the 1960s and late 1970s.
Lyrics of “Nigeria We Hail Thee”
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.
