Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey To serve our fatherland With love and strength and faith The labor of our heroes past Shall never be in vain To serve with heart and might One nation bound in freedom, peace, and unity.
Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause Guide our leaders right Help our youth and truth to know In love and honesty to grow And living just and true Great lofty heights attain To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.
National Pledge
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 honor and glory So help me God.
Old National Anthem
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 And this we count as gain To pass unto 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
Explanations
The current national anthem was adopted in 1978 to replace the previous national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”. The wordings are combination from words and phrases taken from five of the best entries in a national contest – P.O. Aderibigbe, John A. Ilechukwu, Dr. Sota Omoigui, Eme tim Akpan and B.A. Ogunnaike. The words were put to music by the Nigerian Police Band under the directorship of Benedict E. Odiase
Nigeria, We Hail Thee was adopted as Nigeria’s national anthem on Independence Day October 1, 1960. The lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British who lived in Nigeria when it achieved independence. Frances Berda composed the music for “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
The Nigerian pledge of allegiance is recited after the Nigerian national anthem. It was written by Felicia Adebola Adeyoyin in 1976
