Ukorebi Esien | October 21, 2025
CALABAR – The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has released official guidelines on the correct rendition and recitation of Nigeria's National Anthem and Pledge, in a bid to standardize practice at official and public functions across the country.
In a statement made available by the Agency, Nigerians are reminded that only the first stanza of the National Anthem is to be sung or recited at official events, while the third stanza serves as the National Prayer and should be rendered at the beginning of such occasions.
According to the directive, all three stanzas of the anthem are to be recited or sung only during major national events such as Independence Day celebrations, Presidential inaugurations, Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Democracy Day (June 12), and the inauguration of the National Assembly.
The Agency further stated that the National Pledge should be recited at the end of every official event, reaffirming national unity and commitment to patriotic values.
In addition to the protocol clarification, the NOA also addressed common errors often made in the recitation of the anthem. The agency highlighted corrections such as replacing "tribe" with "tribes," "tongue" with "tongues," "Nigerians all, and" with "Nigerians all, are," and "Nigeria shall be blessed" with the correct phrase, "Nigeria may be blessed."
These corrections, NOA explained, are part of efforts to preserve the authenticity of the anthem as originally composed and to foster national consciousness through accurate rendition.
The NOA reiterated its commitment to promoting national identity, civic education, and unity among Nigerians through continuous sensitization and public enlightenment campaigns.
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