Nigeria, We Hail Thee - wikipedia Nigeria, We Hail Thee Nigeria, We Hail Thee National anthem of Nigeria Lyrics Lillian Jean Williams Music Frances Berda Adopted October 1, 1960 Relinquished 1978 `` Nigeria, We Hail Thee '' is the former national anthem of Nigeria, used from independence in 1960 until 1978. Nigeria 's present anthem, `` Arise, O Compatriots, '' was adopted in 1978, replacing `` Nigeria, We Hail Thee. '' Contents 1 History 2 Criticism 3 Lyrics 4 References History `` Nigeria, We Hail Thee '' was adopted as Nigeria 's first national anthem on October 1, 1960. The anthem 's lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria when it achieved independence. Frances Berda composed the music for `` Nigeria, We Hail Thee. '' The second national anthem, `` Arise, O Compatriots, '' replaced `` Nigeria, We Hail Thee '' in 1978. Criticism When `` Nigeria, We Hail Thee '' was first announced, the new national anthem faced criticism for a number of reasons. The Daily Service, a newspaper run by the Yoruba organisation Egbé Ọmọ Odùduwà, started a rebellious campaign against the national anthem, which led to a committee being established to collect signatures as a petition. Lyrics Nigeria we hail thee, Our own dear native land, Though tribe and tongue may differ, In brotherhood we stand, Nigerians all, are proud to serve Our sovereign Motherland. Our flag shall be a symbol That truth and justice reign, In peace or battle honour 'd, And this we count as gain, To hand on to our children A banner without stain. O God of all creation, Grant this our one request, Help us to build a nation Where no man is oppressed, And so with peace and plenty Nigeria may be blessed. References Jump up ^ `` Nigeria 's National Anthem Composer, Pa Ben Odiase, Dies ''. Gazelle News. 2013 - 06 - 12. Retrieved 2013 - 07 - 08. ^ Jump up to : `` Goodnight, Pa Benedict Odiase ( 1934 -- 2013 ) ''. National Mirror. 2013 - 06 - 30. Archived from the original on 2013 - 07 - 04. Retrieved 2013 - 07 - 08. Jump up ^ Mphahlele, Ezekiel ( 1960 ). `` Nigeria on the Eve of Independence ''. Africa Today. 7 ( 6 ) : 4. JSTOR 4184128. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nigeria,_We_Hail_Thee&oldid=842602274 '' Categories : Historical national anthems Nigerian songs National symbols of Nigeria African anthems Hidden categories : Articles containing French - language text All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from June 2015 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch 한국어 Suomi ไทย Türkçe Edit links This page was last edited on 23 May 2018, at 13 : 42 ( UTC ). About Wikipedia

Question: who composed the first national anthem of nigeria
Answer: Frances Berda