Arise O' Compatriots! - Nigeria's National Anthem

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.

“Arise, O Compatriots” is the national anthem of Nigeria. It the country’s second ever national anthem. The anthem was adopted in 1978 and replaced the previous national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”.

The lyrics are a combination of words and phrases taken from five of the best entries in a national contest. The words were put to music by the Nigerian Police Band under the directorship of Benedict E. Odiase. Though it has two verses, usually only the first is sung. On some occasions, the second verse is recited as “The National Prayer”.

Verse 2

Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause

Guide our leader’s 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 reign.

Nigeria used the British National anthem “God Save the Queen” as her patriotic song in the year 1914 to 1960. After its Independence in 1960, “Nigeria We Hail Thee” became the national Anthem and was written by Lillian Jean Williams with music by Frances Benda, both were British expatriates.

During the Nigerian civil war which lasted from 1967-1970, when Biafra tried to secede from Nigeria, “Nigeria We Hail Thee” was the anthem of the home country while Biafra’s anthem was “Land of the Rising Sun”. After the war in which Nigeria won to stay one country, the Biafra’s anthem was no longer in use. In 1978, the National Publicity Committee organized a contest to create a new national anthem, of the many sent in, five stood out and they were words written by John A. Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, B. A. Ogunnaike, Sotu Omoigui and P.O. Aderibighe.

These words were put together to form what is now the “Arise, O Compatriots”, the Nigerian national anthem. At the time, Nigeria was under military rule and the music to the anthem was composed by the Nigerian Police Band, and was directed by Benedict Elide Odiase . The “Arise, O Compatriots” has since been the official patriotic song of Nigeria.

Nigeria We Hail Thee

Nigeria, we hail thee,
Our own dear native land,
Though tribe 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 honoured,
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.

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