President Bola Tinubu has approved the National Anthem Bill 2024, reinstating the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” This announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a joint session of the National Assembly, marking the Silver Jubilee of Nigeria’s 4th Republic.
Senate President Akpabio highlighted that the session’s primary purpose was to launch the reinstated national anthem. He also noted that President Tinubu would not be making a speech at the event as he needed to depart to launch the Abuja metro line. The bill had previously been passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives in separate sessions.
The old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was the national anthem until it was replaced by the current anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” in 1978.
Here is the text of the old anthem:
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.