Abuja – The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has issued an important public notice reminding Nigerians of the correct and official protocol for the rendition and recitation of the National Anthem and National Pledge. The agency said the clarification became necessary to promote uniformity, respect, and adherence to national values during public and official ceremonies across the country.
In a statement made available to the press, the NOA emphasized that only the First Stanza of the National Anthem should be recited or sung at all official events, in line with established national guidelines. The First Stanza, according to the agency, encapsulates the collective aspirations and unity of Nigerians and has been adopted as the standard for use during routine functions such as government programs, school assemblies, and civic events.
The agency further noted that the Third Stanza of the Anthem, recognized as the National Prayer, should be rendered at the beginning of events to invoke divine guidance and blessings upon the nation. The NOA described the stanza as a moral and spiritual reflection of Nigeria’s hope for peace, prosperity, and unity, and urged citizens to treat it with reverence.
According to the notice, the complete three stanzas of the National Anthem should only be sung or recited during special national occasions, including Independence Day, Presidential Inauguration (Swearing-in Ceremonies), Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Democracy Day (June 12), and Inaugurations of the National Assembly, among other events of great national significance. These occasions, the NOA explained, represent moments of collective reflection and pride in the nation’s history and progress, hence the need for the full rendition.
The Agency also clarified that the National Pledge should be recited at the end of an event, following the Anthem. It stressed that the Pledge remains a solemn declaration of loyalty and commitment to the service, unity, and development of Nigeria, representing the moral compass of the nation’s citizens.
The NOA called on government ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as schools, security formations, religious institutions, civil society organizations, and the general public, to strictly comply with these official directives. The agency said maintaining the proper order and respect for the Anthem and Pledge is an expression of patriotism and discipline that strengthens the country’s national identity.
Reiterating its mandate to foster unity and promote civic responsibility, the National Orientation Agency reminded citizens that the National Anthem and Pledge are not mere formalities but symbols of allegiance and hope for a better Nigeria. The agency urged all Nigerians to render them with sincerity, composure, and pride wherever they are performed.
“The National Orientation Agency continues to encourage all Nigerians to uphold the dignity and sanctity of our national symbols,” the statement read. “Let us build a nation founded on respect, discipline, and positive values.”