The national anthem of Nigeria, “Arise, O Compatriots,” was written by the Nigerian poet, actor, and playwright Felicia Hemans. It was adopted as the official anthem in 1978, replacing the previous anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

The anthem reflects the aspirations, unity, and patriotic spirit of the Nigerian people. It encourages citizens to respond to the call of the nation and serve it with love, strength, and faith. The lyrics also pay homage to the sacrifices of past heroes, emphasizing that their efforts should not be in vain.

The second stanza of the anthem is a prayer to God, asking for guidance, righteousness, and truth for the nation. It expresses the hope that the youth will be enlightened and that the country will grow in love, honesty, and justice. The ultimate goal is to build a nation where peace and unity prevail.

The anthem is often played at national events, ceremonies, and gatherings, serving as a symbol of Nigerian identity and unity. It reflects the nation’s commitment to progress, justice, and the well-being of its people.

Lyrics

English

Arise, O compatriots,
Nigeria's call obey
To serve our fatherland
With love and strength and faith.
The labor of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain,
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace, and unity.

O God of creation,
Direct our noble cause;
Guide 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 reign.

Igbo

I
Bilie, ndị obodo
Oku Nigeria rube isi
Ijere ala nna anyị ozi
Site n'ịhụnanya na ume na okwukwe
Ọrụ ndị dike anyị gara aga,
agaghị abụ n'efu
Iji obi na ike jee ozi,
Otu mba ejikọtara na nnwere onwe, udo na ịdị n'otu.

II
Chineke nke okike,
Duzie ebumnuche anyị dị mma
Na -eduzi ndị ndu anyị nke ọma
Nyere ndị ntorobịa anyị aka ịmata eziokwu
N'ịhụnanya na ịkwụwa aka ọtọ ka o too
Na ibi ndụ ziri ezi na eziokwu
Enweta oke oke oke
Iji wuo obodo ebe udo na ikpe ziri ezi ga -achị.

Hausa

I
Tashi, Ya Yan Uwa
Kiran Najeriya yayi biyayya
Don yi wa ƙasar mahaifinmu hidima
Da soyayya da karfi da imani
Aikin jaruman mu na baya,
ba zai taba zama banza ba
Don yin hidima da zuciya da ƙarfi,
Al'umma ɗaya daure cikin 'yanci, zaman lafiya da haɗin kai.

II
Ya Allah na halitta,
Ka shiryar da lamirinmu mai daraja
Ka shiryar da shugabannin mu daidai
Taimaka wa matasan mu gaskiya su sani
Cikin soyayya da gaskiya su girma
Kuma rayuwa mai adalci da gaskiya
Babban matsayi mai girma ya kai
Don gina ƙasa inda zaman lafiya da adalci za su yi sarauta.

Yoruba

I
Dide, eyin Omo ilu
Ipe Nigeria gboran
Lati sin ile baba wa
Pẹlu ifẹ ati agbara ati igbagbọ
Iṣẹ awọn akọni wa ti kọja,
kì yóò jẹ́ lásán
Lati sin pẹlu ọkan ati agbara,
Orilẹ -ede kan ti a dè ni ominira, alaafia ati iṣọkan

II
Oluwa Ọlọrun ẹda,
Ṣe itọsọna idi ọlọla wa
Ṣe itọsọna awọn oludari wa ni ẹtọ
Ran awọn ọdọ wa lọwọ otitọ lati mọ
Ni ifẹ ati otitọ lati dagba
Ati gbigbe laaye ati otitọ
Awọn ibi giga giga giga de ọdọ
Lati kọ orilẹ -ede kan nibiti alaafia ati ododo yoo jọba