Nigeria, We Hail Thee
{{Short description|National anthem of Nigeria}}
{{Infobox anthem
| title = Nigeria, We Hail Thee
| english_title =
| image = File:Coat of arms of Nigeria.svg
| image_size =
| caption = The coat of arms of Nigeria
| prefix = National
| country = {{NGA}}
| author = Lillian Jean Williams{{cite web | url=https://punchng.com/breaking-standardised-lyrics-of-reintroduced-national-anthem-released/ | title=Standardised lyrics of reintroduced National Anthem released | date=5 June 2024 }}
| lyrics_date = 1959
| composer = Frances Benda
| music_date = 1959
| adopted = {{Start date|1960|10|1|df=yes}}
| until = {{End date|1978|10|1|df=yes}}
| readopted = {{Start date|2024|5|29|df=yes}}
| predecessor = Arise, O Compatriots
| sound = Nigeria We Hail Thee.ogg
| sound_title = 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, until it was replaced by "Arise, O Compatriots" in 1978.{{cite news |title=Nigeria's National Anthem Composer, Pa Ben Odiase, Dies |url=http://www.thegazellenews.com/2013/06/12/nigerias-national-anthem-composer-pa-ben-odiase-dies/ |work=Gazelle News |date=2013-06-12 |access-date=2013-07-08 |archive-date=2017-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927112428/http://www.thegazellenews.com/2013/06/12/nigerias-national-anthem-composer-pa-ben-odiase-dies/ |url-status=dead }} "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was officially readopted on 29 May 2024.{{Cite web |last=Akpan |first=Samuel |date=29 May 2024 |title=Tinubu signs bill returning old national anthem into law |url=https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-tinubu-signs-bill-to-reintroduce-old-national-anthem-into-law/ |access-date=29 May 2024 |website=The Cable}}
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.{{Cite news |last=Omosola |first=Friday |date=2024-05-31 |title=Nigeria: How Frances Benda, Not Frances Berda, Composed 'Nigeria We Hail Thee' |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202405310048.html |access-date=2024-09-19 |work=Premium Times |language=en}}
Frances Benda composed the music for "Nigeria, We Hail Thee."{{Cite web |last=Omosola |first=Friday |date=2024-05-30 |title=How Frances Benda, not Frances Berda, composed 'Nigeria We Hail Thee' |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/699183-how-frances-benda-not-frances-berda-composed-nigeria-we-hail-thee.html |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=Premium Times Nigeria |language=en}} 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.{{Cite news |date=26 June 2024 |title=National Anthem and the Military Legacy |work=This Day |location=Lagos}}
The song was used as the national anthem until it was replaced by "Arise, O Compatriots" in 1978.{{cite news|title=Goodnight, Pa Benedict Odiase (1934 – 2013)|url=http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/goodnight-pa-benedict-odiase-1934-2013/|work=National Mirror|date=2013-06-30|access-date=2013-07-08|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704153543/http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/goodnight-pa-benedict-odiase-1934-2013/|archive-date=2013-07-04}}
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.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-29 |title=Nigeria's new-old national anthem sparks outrage after it is signed by Bola Tinubu |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3gg7z0n4jxo |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
The anthem has been regarded as controversial, due to its association with the colonial government.Giginna, N. (2024) There is something so many people have not really understood from this new national anthem. LinkedIn. [online] Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nnaemeka-giginna-048390108_there-is-something-so-many-people-have-not-activity-7201899561957646336-zlAt (Accessed: April 15th 2025). 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". Ogunbewon, A. (2024) Ex-Minister Ezekwesili backs Aisha Yesufu’s #NotMyNationalAnthem The Nation Online Nigeria. [online] Available at: https://thenationonlineng.net/ex-minister-ezekwesili-backs-aisha-yesufus-notmynationalanthem/ (Accessed: April 15th 2025).
Lyrics
| class="wikitable"
!English original !Yoruba translation{{cite web | url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=atzP1UaP9BjF95kD&v=oezCOfY8UCg&feature=youtu.be | title=Nigeria anthem - Yoruba version | website=YouTube | date=24 October 2024 }} !Igbo Translation !Hausa Translation |
| style="vertical-align:top; white-space:nowrap;"
| Nigeria, we hail thee, Our own dear native land, Though tribe and tongue may differ, In brotherhood we stand Are proud to serve our sovereign Motherland. II Our flag shall be a symbol That truth and justice reign, In peace or battle honoured, And this we count as gain, To hand on to our children A banner without stain. III 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. | Nàìjíríà a kí ọ, Ilẹ̀ ìbí wa ọ̀wọ́n, Ẹyà àti èdè le yàtọ̀, A dúró ní 'ṣọ̀kan, Gbogbo wa la ó fayọ̀ sin, Ilẹ̀ 'bí wa ọ̀wọ́n. II Àsìá wa yóò j'ámì, Pé ẹ̀tọ̀ ló ń jọba Nígbà àlàáfíà, Tàbi ogun, èyí yóò j'ẹ́rè wa, Láti fi lé ọmọ lọ́wọ́, Àsìá 'làìlábàwọ́n. III Ọlọ́run gbogbo ẹ̀dá, Gbọ́ àdúrà wa yìí, Jẹ̀ ká ní orílẹ̀-èdè, Níbi ìrẹ́jẹ kòsí, K'àlàfíà àti ọ̀pọ̀, Jẹ́' 'bùkún Nàìjíríà.}} | | Nigeria muna jinjina muku Namu masoyi ƙasar haihuwa Ko da yake kabilanci da harshe na iya bambanta A cikin 'yan uwantaka mun tsaya 'Yan Najeriya duka, suna alfahari da yin hidima. Mahaifiyar mu mai martaba. II Tutar mu za ta zama alama Wannan gaskiya da adalci suna mulki A cikin aminci ko yaƙi girmama', Kuma wannan muna ƙidaya a matsayin riba, Don mika wa yaranmu Banner ba tare da tabo ba. III Ya Ubangijin dukkan halitta Ka ba da wannan buƙatunmu ɗaya. A taimake mu mu gina kasa Inda ba a zaluntar mutum ba Haka kuma da zaman lafiya da yalwa Najeriya na iya samun albarka.}} |
Nigerian pledge of allegiance is recited immediately after the playing of the Nigerian national anthem. It was written by Felicia Adebola Adeyoyin in 1976.{{cite web |last1=Mbamalu |first1=Socrates |title=Prof. Felicia Adeyoyin, Author of Nigeria's National Pledge, Dies at 83 |url=https://fij.ng/article/prof-felicia-adeyoyin-author-of-nigerias-national-pledge-dies-at-83/ |publisher=Foundation For Investigative Journalism |date=3 May 2021}}
| class="wikitable"
! 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.{{Cite web|title=Nigerian National Anthem|url=http://nhcuk.dreamhosters.com/anthem|access-date=2022-02-19|website=Nigeria High Commission UK}} | 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{{quantify|date=June 2015}} 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.{{cite journal|last1=Mphahlele|first1=Ezekiel|title=Nigeria on the Eve of Independence|journal=Africa Today|date=1960|volume=7|issue=6|pages=4–6|jstor=4184128}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Opejobi |first=Seun |date=2024-06-01 |title=I'll never sing old national anthem - Ezekwesili backs Aisha Yesufu, tackles Tinubu |url=https://dailypost.ng/2024/06/01/ill-never-sing-old-national-anthem-ezekwesili-backs-aisha-yesufu-tackles-tinubu/ |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=Daily Post Nigeria |language=en-US}}
Mohammed Tahir Monguno, chair of the parliamentary committee that pushed through the anthem's readoption, said that the change was "apt, timely and important", while Tinubu said the anthem symbolised Nigeria's diversity.{{Cite news |date=29 May 2024 |title=Outrage as Nigeria changes national anthem |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3gg7z0n4jxo |access-date=29 May 2024 |work=BBC |language=en-UK}}{{Cite news |date=30 May 2024 |title=Nigeria's new anthem, written by a Briton, sparks criticism after a contentious law is passed |url=https://apnews.com/article/nigeria-new-national-anthem-6baee249c05b22d506873d42d9eebdec |access-date=30 May 2024 |work=Associated Press |language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{National anthems of Africa}}
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Category:Historical national anthems