Renewed National Anthem: Nigeria We Hail Thee – Review and MP3 Download

Hello readers, especially secondary school students and admission seekers, I’m posting the renewed Nigerian national anthem today as information regarding it may come out as an exam question in your General Paper, Current Affairs or School of Nursing Interview, or even, job interviews. This article will cover important facts about the new anthem, the lyrics and the link for downloading the audio. Do well to read to the end.

“Nigeria We Hail Thee” is a song that resonates with the hearts of many Nigerians especially the millennials, the Gen Z’s may just be getting to know about this. It served as the national anthem of Nigeria from independence in 1960 until 1978 when it was changed by the Obasanjo’s regime and has recently been readopted by Tinubu’s government.

Facts About Nigeria We Hail Thee

1. “Nigeria We Hail Thee” is the current national anthem of Nigeria, it was selected ad the best entry from a competition for Anthem held in 1960.
2. It was originally used from independence in 1960 until 1978, and then readopted in May 2024.
3. The lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate, and the music was composed by Frances Berda who is a ballet musician.
4. Frances Benda, the composer of “Nigeria We Hail Thee,” was actually a pen name used by Mrs. Charles Kernot, a private music teacher and pianist from London. There was some controversy surrounding the choice of a non-Nigerian composer for the national anthem.
5. In 1978, Nigeria was under a military regime led by General Olusegun Obasanjo. He was the head of state at the time the national anthem was changed to “Arise O Compatriots”.
6. The reasons for the change in 1978 was that the composers and singers were foreigners and doesn’t fully resonate with the idea of an independent Nigeria. Another reason was that some felt the lyrics didn’t completely capture the spirit of Nigeria and its people.
7. “Arise, O Compatriots” the just changed anthem was a collaborative effort of 5 Nigerians. A committee selected the best parts from five different entries submitted to a national contest. The winners were P.O. Aderibigbe, John A. Ilechukwu, Dr. Sota Omoigui, Eme Etim Akpan, and B.A. Ogunnaike. The Nigerian Police Band under the leadership of Benedict Elide Odiase composed the music.

Lyrics of Nigeria We Hail Thee

“Nigeria, We Hail Thee” has met many criticisms since it’s introduction, and even reintroduction, on the basis of being written and by foreigners, let’s take a look at the words and you can drop your comments at the end.

Here are the full lyrics of the anthem:

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 honour’d, 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 shall be blessed.

Listen and Download the MP3 here

Comment your favorite line in the comments section and possible questions that may come out in exams on this Anthem.