The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has issued new guidelines on how Nigeria’s national anthem should be sung or recited at official events.
The directives, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), were released on Thursday, October 16, 2025.
The agency directed that only the first stanza of the anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”, should be used at routine government functions, including meetings, briefings, and ceremonies not tied to national holidays.
The third stanza has been designated as the National Prayer and is to be recited at the start of official events.
NOA said all three stanzas of the anthem should be sung or recited only during major national occasions such as Independence Day, Democracy Day (June 12), Presidential and National Assembly inaugurations, Armed Forces Remembrance Day, and other recognized national ceremonies.
The agency also instructed that the National Pledge should be recited at the close of official events.
NOA noted that the anthem was reintroduced by law on 29 May 2024, replacing the previous version.
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Standardized lyrics have been released to correct variations, including clarifications such as “Nigerians all, are proud to serve” and the proper plural forms in lines like “tribes and tongues.”
To ensure proper use, NOA has distributed printed copies of the anthem and national symbols, including the flag, to schools, sports bodies, and other institutions.
This initiative is aimed at familiarizing citizens, particularly public servants and students, with the correct words and appropriate occasions for each stanza.