The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has released new directives on how Nigeria’s national anthem should be rendered at official engagements.

In a four-point guideline issued on Thursday, the agency instructed that only the first stanza of the anthem should be sung at public functions.

The statement reads, “Recite/sing only the first stanza (not all three (3) stanzas) at official events.”

According to the NOA, the third stanza of the anthem will henceforth be recited as the National Prayer at the beginning of events.

The agency further noted that the full three stanzas are to be reserved for special national occasions such as Independence Day, Democracy Day (June 12), Armed Forces Remembrance Day, swearing-in of a President, and inauguration of the National Assembly.

“The National Pledge is to be recited at the end of an event,” the guideline added.

Naijaonpoint recalls that President Bola Tinubu, in May, signed into law the bill reintroducing the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” replacing “Arise, O Compatriots,” which had been in use since 1978.

The change generated widespread criticism from citizens who questioned its relevance, but the President defended the move, insisting that the restored anthem was about “service to the nation.”

See the lyrics of the reintroduced national anthem below.

Stanza 1

Nigeria, we hail thee

Our own dear native land

Though tribes and tongues may differ

In brotherhood, we stand

Nigerians all, are proud to serve

Our sovereign Motherland.

Stanza 2

Our flag shall be a symbol

That truth and justice reign

In peace or battle, honour’d,