“Nigeria, We Hail Thee” is Nigeria’s former national anthem, which was used from 1960 to 1978. Nigeria’s current anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” was approved in 1978 to replace “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
“Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was adopted as Nigeria’s first national anthem on October 1, 1960.
The anthem’s lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria when it achieved independence. Frances Berda composed the music for “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
See the Lyrics here:
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.