The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has issued new guidelines on the proper rendition of Nigeria’s national anthem at public functions, directing that only the first stanza should be sung during official events.
In a four-point directive released on Thursday, the agency clarified that the third stanza of the anthem should serve as the national prayer and be recited at the beginning of events.
According to the statement, all three stanzas are to be rendered only during major national ceremonies such as Independence Day, the Presidential Inauguration, Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Democracy Day (June 12), and the inauguration of the National Assembly.
The NOA further stated that the national pledge should be recited at the end of every official event.
The directive follows the reintroduction of the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in May 2024, replacing the 1978 anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots.”
