Nigeria, We Hail Thee
"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. The anthem was said to be frowned upon by the military regime until it was replaced by "Arise, O Compatriots" in 1978. "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was officially readopted on 29 May 2024 after a bill to that effect was passed by the National Assembly and was signed by the President.
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. Mohammed Tahir Monguno, chair of the parliamentary committee that led the anthem's readoption, said that the change was "apt, timely and important", while Tinubu said the anthem symbolised Nigeria's diversity.
Lyrics
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 |
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. | Zan zama mai imani, mai biyayya da gaskiya Zan yiwa Najeriya hidima da dukkan ƙarfina Don kare hadin kanta da kuma kare mutuncinta da daukakarta Ya Allah ka taimake ni. | 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 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.The anthem has been regarded as controversial, due to its association with the colonial government. Obiageli Ezekwesili, the former minister of education, declared that she would sing "Arise, O Compatriots" whenever the National Anthem was "called for", hashtagging her post with "#NotMyNationalAnthem".
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.