For Nigeria, “Arise, O Compatriots” is the name of the national anthem. This is the country’s second national anthem; it was officially approved in the late 1970s. The song succeeded “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the country’s official anthem in 1978.
The song’s lyrics are a compilation of the top five entries to a nationwide contest. With Benedict P. Odiase at the helm, the Nigerian Police Band set the lyrics to music. P. O. Aderibigbe, John A. Ilechukwu, Sota Omoigui, Emetim Akpan, and B.A. Ogunnaike are the authors of the lyrics to the Nigerian national anthem.
While there are two verses to the song, only the first is typically performed. The second verse is often used in place of “The National Prayer” when such an opportunity arises. As soon as the Nigerian national song concludes, the pledge of allegiance is recited. Felicia Adebola Adeyoyin penned it in 1976.
English Version (Original)
First Stanza
Arise, O Compatriots
Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labour of our heroes past,
shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might,
One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity
Second Stanza
Oh God of creation,
Direct our noble cause
Guide our leaders right
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace and justice shall[a] reign.
Hausa Version
First Stanza
Tashi, Ya Yan Uwa
Kiran Najeriya yayi biyayya
Don yi wa ƙasar mahaifinmu hidima
Da soyayya da karfi da imani
Aikin jaruman mu na baya,
ba zai taba zama banza ba
Don yin hidima da zuciya da ƙarfi,
Al’umma ɗaya daure cikin ‘yanci, zaman lafiya da haɗin kai
Second Stanza
Ya Allah na halitta,
Ka shiryar da lamirinmu mai daraja
Ka shiryar da shugabannin mu daidai
Taimaka wa matasan mu gaskiya su sani
Cikin soyayya da gaskiya su girma
Kuma rayuwa mai adalci da gaskiya
Babban matsayi mai girma ya kai
Don gina ƙasa inda zaman lafiya da adalci za su yi sarauta.
Igbo Version
First Stanza
Bilie, ndị obodo
Oku Nigeria rube isi
Ijere ala nna anyị ozi
Site n’ịhụnanya na ume na okwukwe
Ọrụ ndị dike anyị gara aga,
agaghị abụ n’efu
Iji obi na ike jee ozi,
Otu mba ejikọtara na nnwere onwe, udo na ịdị n’otu
Second Stanza
Chineke nke okike,
Duzie ebumnuche anyị dị mma
Na -eduzi ndị ndu anyị nke ọma
Nyere ndị ntorobịa anyị aka ịmata eziokwu
N’ịhụnanya na ịkwụwa aka ọtọ ka o too
Na ibi ndụ ziri ezi na eziokwu
Enweta oke oke oke
Iji wuo obodo ebe udo na ikpe ziri ezi ga -achị.
Yoruba Version
First Stanza
Dide, eyin Omo ilu
Ipe Nigeria gboran
Lati sin ile baba wa
Pẹlu ifẹ ati agbara ati igbagbọ
Iṣẹ awọn akọni wa ti kọja,
kì yóò jẹ́ lásán
Lati sin pẹlu ọkan ati agbara,
Orilẹ -ede kan ti a dè ni ominira, alaafia ati iṣọkan
Second Stanza
Oluwa Ọlọrun ẹda,
Ṣe itọsọna idi ọlọla wa
Ṣe itọsọna awọn oludari wa ni ẹtọ
Ran awọn ọdọ wa lọwọ otitọ lati mọ
Ni ifẹ ati otitọ lati dagba
Ati gbigbe laaye ati otitọ
Awọn ibi giga giga giga de ọdọ
Lati kọ orilẹ -ede kan nibiti alaafia ati ododo yoo jọba.
Fulani Version
First Stanza
Heey, ummee onon leydiyanke’en,
nootee noddaandu Naajeeriya.
Ngam jagganooɗen leydi baaba,
nder yiɗde, tiɗɗinaare e nuɗɗinaare.
Njaggu ngenndiyanke men ɓeɗiiɓe
to ngu laato ngu meere.
Njaggenen leydi nder ɓernde wootere,
leydi ngootiri ndarindiiri ndimaaku, jam e dental.
Nigerian National Pledge
I pledge to Nigeria my country
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.
Former Nigerian National Anthem (196-1978)
Nigeria we hail thee
Our own dear native land
Though tribes and tongue may differ
In brotherhood we stand
Nigerians all, are 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.
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.
History of Former Nigerian National Anthem
On October 1, 1960, the song “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was officially declared the country’s national anthem. Lyricist Lillian Jean Williams was a British expatriate living in Nigeria at the time of the country’s independence, and she is credited with writing the song’s rousing refrain. Music for “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was written by Frances Berda. In 1978, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was replaced by “Arise, O Compatriots,” the country’s current national song. There were many people who were not happy with the new national song, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” when it was initially announced. The Yoruba group Egbé m Odùduwà’s journal, The Daily Service, launched a protest movement against the national anthem, prompting the formation of a committee to gather signatures on a petition. In 1978, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was replaced by “Arise, O Compatriots,” the current national anthem of Nigeria.
