The federal government on Thursday provided some clarifications to the recitation of the new national anthem.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu, in May 2024, assented to the national anthem bill 2024, reverting to the old national anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee.”

The old anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee”, composed when Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960, effectively replaced the “Arise, O Compatriots” anthem.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, provided clarification about the national anthem during a world press conference ahead of Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary.

Idris said the federal government has announced that although the new national anthem has three stanzas, only the first stanza should be recited at events.

The information minister also said the full stanzas of the anthem should only be recited when the president is present and during national events.

He further disclosed that the last stanza of the anthem will now serve as a national prayer.

This development was shared by former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmed on his X handle.

Ahmed quoted the minister as saying, “The full stanzas should only be recited when the President and Commander-In-Chief is present or during national events such as the Independence Anniversary.

“Lastly, the last stanza of the anthem will now serve as the national prayer, while the national pledge remains unchanged.”