NOA Issues New Guidelines on National Anthem, Pledge Rendition at Official Events
TEC News |Abuja | October 18, 2025.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has released new official guidelines on how the Nigerian National Anthem and National Pledge should be rendered at public and official events across the country.
The move, according to the agency, is part of a renewed national effort to standardize protocol, promote respect for national symbols, and deepen citizens’ sense of patriotism.
Only First Stanza for Regular Events
In the directive signed by the Director-General of the Agency and circulated to ministries, departments, agencies, schools, and event organizers, the NOA instructed that only the first stanza of the national anthem should be recited or sung at regular official functions.
The statement further clarified that the third stanza of the anthem is now officially recognized as the National Prayer, which should be recited at the beginning of events.
When to Sing All Three Stanzas
The agency emphasized that all three stanzas of the national anthem are to be sung only during major national ceremonies, such as:
- Independence Day celebrations (October 1),
- Inauguration or swearing-in of the President,
- Armed Forces Remembrance Day,
- Democracy Day (June 12), and
- Inauguration of the National Assembly, among others.
This clarification, the agency said, seeks to eliminate confusion and ensure decorum in the observance of national protocols during public ceremonies.
National Pledge to End Every Event
In addition, the NOA directed that the National Pledge should always be recited at the end of every event, rather than at the beginning as sometimes practised in schools and government functions.
This, the agency noted, symbolizes the recommitment of Nigerians to national service and unity after each official engagement.
Reinforcing National Identity
The NOA explained that the new directive aligns with its statutory responsibility to promote civic values, national consciousness, and patriotism among citizens.
According to the agency, national symbols — including the flag, coat of arms, anthem, and pledge — are powerful unifying tools that should be treated with reverence.
An NOA spokesperson noted:
“The anthem is not just a song; it is a declaration of identity, service, and hope. By rendering it correctly and consistently, we reaffirm our shared loyalty and faith in the unity of our nation.”
Context: Return of ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’
The clarification follows the May 2024 re-adoption of Nigeria’s old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” which was originally used from 1960 to 1978 before being replaced by “Arise, O Compatriots.”
The anthem was reinstated after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law on May 29, 2024.
The anthem, written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate resident in Nigeria during independence, and composed by Frances Berda, has three stanzas that celebrate unity, faith, and service to the fatherland.
While the re-adoption stirred mixed reactions from Nigerians, the government defended the move, saying it was a symbolic return to the nation’s founding ideals and values.
Public Reaction and Compliance
Since the directive was made public, educationists, protocol officers, and civic leaders have commended the NOA for providing clarity.
Some schools and corporate organisations had reportedly been unsure about which version of the anthem to use or how many stanzas to sing, especially since the change from Arise, O Compatriots to Nigeria, We Hail Thee.
Mrs. Anthonia Opara, a school administrator in Lagos, told TEC News that the clarification was timely:
“We’ve been waiting for an official position from NOA. Many schools didn’t know if they should sing all three stanzas or just one. This will help us standardize morning assemblies and official events.”
Others urged the NOA to intensify public sensitization and provide printed materials or audio recordings to schools, radio stations, and community organisations to ensure uniform rendition.
National Unity and Civic Rebirth
Analysts see the new anthem policy as part of the federal government’s broader push for civic reorientation and moral rebirth under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The NOA has been leading several initiatives aimed at reviving national consciousness, including campaigns on ethics, citizenship, and responsible public behaviour.
Experts say clear and consistent use of the anthem and pledge reinforces national identity, especially among young people.
Dr. Femi Ajayi, a civic education lecturer, noted that:
“When national symbols are used with order and respect, it builds emotional attachment to the country. That’s why this directive is more than a formality — it’s a nation-building strategy.”
Summary of the New Guidelines
- Sing/recite only the first stanza of the anthem at regular official events.
- Recite the third stanza as the National Prayer at the beginning of the event.
- Sing all three stanzas only during major national ceremonies (Independence Day, Inaugurations, etc.).
- Recite the National Pledge at the end of events.
Conclusion
The National Orientation Agency has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s national identity and ensuring that citizens show proper respect for the nation’s symbols.
It called on all government bodies, schools, and private organisations to comply fully with the new anthem and pledge rendition order — a move that seeks to harmonize national protocol and reignite patriotic pride across the country.