The National Orientation Agency (NOA) of Nigeria has stepped into the spotlight with a detailed public notice aimed at correcting common errors in the recitation of the country's reinstated national anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee."

Released on Thursday, October 17, 2025, via a post on X by @NOA_Nigeria, the announcement comes as part of a broader effort to standardize the anthem's performance amid ongoing public discourse.

The NOA's official statement, highlights frequent lyrical missteps and provides the correct wording for all three stanzas.

Key corrections include replacing "Tribe" with "Tribes," "Tongue" with "Tongues," "Nigerians all, and" with "Nigerians all, are," and "Nigeria shall be blessed" with "Nigeria may be blessed."

The agency emphasized the importance of accuracy, urging citizens to sing the anthem "with pride and unity" to reflect national identity.

The anthem, originally adopted at Nigeria's independence in 1960 and penned by British expatriate Lillian Jean Williams with music by Frances Benda, was reintroduced in May 2024 under President Bola Tinubu's administration, replacing the long-standing "Arise, O Compatriots."

The reversion has sparked mixed reactions, with the NOA's latest guidance adding fuel to the debate.

NOA outlines the anthem's three stanzas:

Stanza 1: Celebrates Nigeria's unity despite diverse tribes and tongues, with citizens proudly serving their "sovereign Motherland."

Stanza 2: Positions the national flag as a symbol of truth and justice, to be passed on unstained to future generations.

Stanza 3: Serves as a national prayer, invoking divine help to build an oppression-free nation blessed with peace and plenty.

The NOA's post aligns with earlier protocols released on October 17, specifying that only the first stanza should be sung at official events, the third as a prayer at openings, and all three stanzas reserved for major occasions like Independence Day.

The national pledge is to follow at the end of events.

The move has reignited discussions about national identity and the relevance of the anthem amidst Nigeria's current challenges, including inflation and regional conflicts, even as the NOA has called for citizens to uphold the "dignity and sanctity" of national symbols.