The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has released new directives on how Nigeria’s national anthem should be recited at official and public events.

The four-point guideline was announced in a statement on Thursday, October 16. According to the agency, only the first stanza of the anthem is to be sung or recited during most official events, while the third stanza will now serve as the national prayer.

“Recite/sing only the first stanza (not all three (3) stanzas at official events. The third stanza should be recited as the National Prayer at the beginning of an event.

The three stanzas are to be recited/sung only during Independence Day, Inauguration (swearing-in) of a President, Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Democracy (June 12) Day, Inauguration of the National Assembly, etc.

The National Pledge is to be recited at the end of an event,” the statement read.

The directive comes months after President Bola Tinubu signed into law the bill reintroducing Nigeria’s old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” replacing “Arise, O Compatriots.”