If you were schooled or grew up in Nigeria, there is every possibility that you learned the national anthem and pledge in English, as we were colonised by the British.
However, the Nigerian national anthem and pledge have beautiful translations, even in your local dialect.
Alongside the English language version you are familiar with, we will show you other translations in Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa languages.
Really, one interesting thing about these language versions is that you will get the true meaning of what you have been singing all these years.
You will have this feeling that it is making more sense to you.
English
Verse 1
Arise, O compatriots
Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labor of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom
Peace and unity
Verse 2
Oh God of creation,
Direct our noble cause
Guide our leaders right
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.
THE PLEDGE
I pledge to Nigeria my country
To be faithful, loyal and honest
To serve Nigeria with all my strength
To defend her unity, and uphold her
honor and glory
So help me God.
National Anthem in Igbo
Verse 1
Bilie, ndị obodo
Oku Nigeria rube isi
Ijere ala nna anyị ozi
Site n’ịhụnanya na ume na okwukwe
Ọrụ ndị dike anyị gara aga,
agaghị abụ n’efu
Iji obi na ike jee ozi,
Otu mba ejikọtara na nnwere onwe, udo na ịdị n’otu
Verse 2
Chineke nke okike,
Duzie ebumnuche anyị dị mma
Na -eduzi ndị ndu anyị nke ọma
Nyere ndị ntorobịa anyị aka ịmata eziokwu
N’ịhụnanya na ịkwụwa aka ọtọ ka o too
Na ibi ndụ ziri ezi na eziokwu
Enweta oke oke oke
Iji wuo obodo ebe udo na ikpe ziri ezi ga -achị.
THE PLEDGE
E kwere m Nigeria bu obodo m
Inwe okwukwe, iguzosi ike na inwe eziokwu
Iji ike m niile na-ejeru Nigeria ozi
Ichebe njiko ya, ma bulite ezi afa na ebube ya
Ya mere, nyere m aka Chineke.
Hausa
Verse 1
Tashi, Ya Yan Uwa
Kiran Najeriya yayi biyayya
Don yi wa ƙasar mahaifinmu hidima
Da soyayya da karfi da imani
Aikin jaruman mu na baya,
ba zai taba zama banza ba
Don yin hidima da zuciya da ƙarfi,
Al’umma ɗaya daure cikin ‘yanci, zaman lafiya da haɗin kai
Verse 2
Ya Allah na halitta,
Ka shiryar da lamirinmu mai daraja
Ka shiryar da shugabannin mu daidai
Taimaka wa matasan mu gaskiya su sani
Cikin soyayya da gaskiya su girma
Kuma rayuwa mai adalci da gaskiya
Babban matsayi mai girma ya kai
Don gina ƙasa inda zaman lafiya da adalci za su yi sarauta.
Hausa pledge
THE PLEDGE
Na dau al’kawari ga kasata najeriya,
Zan zama amintacce,in sadaukar da kai sannan in zama mai gaskiya,
Zan yimata hidima da dukkan karfina,
Zan kare hadin-kan al’umarta sannan in daga martaba da daukakarta,
Akan wannan muradin nawa,
Ya Allah ka taimake ni,,,,
National Anthem in Yoruba
Verse 1
Dide, eyin Omo ilu
Ipe Nigeria gboran
Lati sin ile baba wa
Pẹlu ifẹ ati agbara ati igbagbọ
Iṣẹ awọn akọni wa ti kọja,
kì yóò jẹ́ lásán
Lati sin pẹlu ọkan ati agbara,
Orilẹ -ede kan ti a dè ni ominira, alaafia ati iṣọkan
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Verse 2
Oluwa Ọlọrun ẹda,
Ṣe itọsọna idi ọlọla wa
Ṣe itọsọna awọn oludari wa ni ẹtọ
Ran awọn ọdọ wa lọwọ otitọ lati mọ
Ni ifẹ ati otitọ lati dagba
Ati gbigbe laaye ati otitọ
Awọn ibi giga giga giga de ọdọ
Lati kọ orilẹ -ede kan nibiti alaafia ati ododo yoo jọba.
THE PLEDGE
Mo se ileri fun Orile-Ede mi Naijiria,
Lati je olododo, eniti o see f’okan tan
Ati olotito eniyan
Lati sin in pelu gbogbo agbara mi,
Lati sa ipa mi gbogbo fun isokan re
Ati lati gbe e ga fun iyi ati ogo re.
Ki Olorun ran mi l’owo
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