On Wednesday, May 29, Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law.
The bill seeks to reinstate the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
A final assent to the passage of the bill will bring about a shift from the now-recognised, “Arise O Compatriots.”
Here are things to know about the old National Anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”
1. “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was used from independence in 1960 until 1978.
2. “Arise, O Compatriots,” was adopted in 1978, replacing “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
3. “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was adopted as Nigeria’s first national anthem on October 1, 1960.
4. The anthem’s lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria when it achieved independence.
5. Frances Berda composed the music for “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
6. On May 23, 2024, the House of Representatives passed a bill to revert from the current anthem to Nigeria, We Hail Thee.