FG to Nigerians: Seek permission before using national anthem

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to seek permission before using the national anthem.

A statement by the Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, on Wednesday, said seeking permission was necessary to avoid misinterpretation.

He further announced that press conferences will be held across all states to initiate the sensitisation campaign on the agency’s new policies.

He, however, did not state in what context permission should be sought before the anthem could be sung, or its lyrics could be used.

“As custodians of Nigeria’s national symbols, the NOA is tasked with preventing all forms of misuse. The DG emphasised that permission must be sought from the Agency before using the National Anthem to avoid misrepresentation,” the statement partly read.

He also clarified that the Nigerian flag is simply green, white, and green, with the correct shade of green being Emerald 2.0.

The Director General reiterated that both leaders and citizens share equal responsibility for national progress.

He explained that within the Nigerian Promise—a key aspect of the National Values Charter—there are principles of Equality and Meritocracy that the nation guarantees to its citizens, whether they are in positions of leadership or the general populace.

He warned that Nigeria cannot move without active participation and adherence to these values.

President Tinubu on the first anniversary of his office signed into law the bill to revert to Nigeria’s old national anthem which was dropped by a military government in 1978.

The re-adopted anthem, which begins “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda.