Arise, O Compatriots is the national anthem of the western coastal African nation of Nigeria . The anthem was adopted in 1978 following a national contest to replace the nation’s previous anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” Nigerian composer Benedict Odiase wrote the music for “Arise, O Compatriots.” The lyrics combine the entries from P. O. Aderibigbe, Eme Etim Akpan, John A. Ilechukwu, B. A. Ogunnaike, and Sota Omoigui.
The National Publicity Committee of Nigeria organized the contest to replace the old anthem, which was written to celebrate Nigeria’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1960. “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” had been written by British artists, and many Nigerians felt it did not properly represent their nation. In the 1978 contest, the words from the five best entries were combined into one song, and Odiase, a long-time director of the Nigerian Police Band, set the words to music.
The first stanza of the lyrics in English , Nigeria’s official language, is given below. The song is also often performed in Hausa , Igbo , and Yoruba , the languages of Nigeria’s largest ethnic groups.
Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey To serve our Fatherland With love and strength and faith. The labour of our heroes past Shall never be in vain, To serve with heart and might One nation bound in freedom, peace, and unity.
