Nigeria Reinstates Original National Anthem with Presidential Approval

President Tinubu Approves Revival of Nigeria’s First National Anthem

In a significant cultural move, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reinstated Nigeria’s original national anthem, composed by British expatriate Lillian Jean Williams following the country’s independence in 1960. This anthem, which had been replaced in 1978, is now once again the official national anthem.

The lyrics of the anthem reflect themes of unity, justice, and national pride, and it is expected to resonate deeply with Nigerians across diverse tribes and languages. Here are the full lyrics of the newly reinstated anthem:

Nigerian National 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 may be blessed