"Arise, O Compatriots" is a Nigerian patriotic song that was used as the national anthem of Nigeria from 1 October 1978 until 2024, when "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was reinstated. On 29 May 2024, "Arise, O Compatriots" was officially relinquished followed by the readoption of the first national anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" used from 1960 until 1978.
History
The anthem was adopted in 1978 by the military dictatorship 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 P. Odiase (1934–2013). The lyrics were created by five people: P. O. Aderibigbe, John A. Ilechukwu, Dr. Sota Omoigui, Eme Etim Akpan and B.A. Ogunnaike.
On 29 May 2024, "Arise, O Compatriots" was officially relinquished following a bill passed by the National Assembly and subsequently signed into law by president Bola Tinubu. It was replaced by "Nigeria, We Hail Thee", Nigeria’s first national anthem.
!Hausa translation
!Igbo translation
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|<poem>I
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.
II
Oh God of creation,
Direct our noble cause
Guide thou 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 reign.</poem>
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!Yoruba translation
!Fulani translation
!Tyap translation
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National Pledge
The Nigerian pledge of allegiance is recited immediately after the playing of the Nigerian national anthem. It was written by Felicia Adebola Adeyoyin in 1976.
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! English original
! Hausa translation
! Yoruba translation
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| <poem>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.</poem>
| <poem>Na yi wa Najeriya alƙawarin ƙasata
Don zama mai aminci, mai aminci da gaskiya
Don yiwa Najeriya hidima da dukkan ƙarfina
Don kare hadin kan ta da kuma kare mutuncin ta da daukakar ta
Don haka ku taimake ni Allah.</poem>
| <poem>Mo ṣeleri fun Nàìjíríà orilẹ-ede mi
Lati jẹ ol loyaltọ aduroṣinṣin ati otitọ
Lati fi gbogbo ipa sin Nàìjíríà
Lati daabobo isokan rẹ
Ki o si gbe iyi ati ogo rẹ ga
Nitorina ran mi lọwọ Ọlọrun.</poem>
| <poem>N da̱p a̱nu ma̱ng Naijeriya, a̱byin nung ka.
N nyia̱ a̱cucuk, n nwuak a̱pyia̱ nung, n nyia̱ tsotswat.
N nyia̱ Naijeriya ta̱m ma̱ng a̱lyia̱ a̱nyiung.
N cok mun a̱pyia̱ nji hu.
A̱wot, n di̱n a̱ma shi nji hu ma̱ng yet nji hu,
Mat a̱nia, A̱gwaza beang nung.</poem>
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