The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has issued new guidelines on how the Nigerian national anthem should be rendered during public and official events.
According to the directive released on Friday, only the first stanza of the anthem is to be sung at official functions, while the third stanza will now serve as the national prayer and should be recited at the beginning of such events.
The NOA further clarified that all three stanzas of the anthem should only be performed during major national ceremonies such as Independence Day celebrations, Presidential inaugurations, Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Democracy Day (June 12), and the inauguration of the National Assembly.
The statement emphasized that the full anthem will be reserved for these significant national occasions to preserve its dignity and promote unity.
The Three Stanzas of the 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.