Accepting one another in spite of our differences
Understanding and forgetting such differences
And working together side by side with our children
To build a strong and virile nation where in our diversity
Every citizen is treated equally and fairly.
God of Nigeria, give to all those to whom you have entrusted
The task of governing Nigeria to govern well in a manner that will glorify you
Give them the grace not to think highly of themselves,
 But to in their entrusted little corners think of themselves as servant- leaders;
O God of Nigeria, give our leaders the grace to be selfless and patriotic;
Give them wisdom and hearts large enough to love and serve all;
Keep them away from greed and corruption,
So that instead of asking, “What’s in it for me?”
They will ask, “What’s in it for all of us?”
Give them the grace to in judgement be impartial, remembering the poor in our midst;
Showing no respect to persons, but acknowledging you always as the God of Nigeria who has placed them in authority over us;
Give them the wisdom to be broad and whole in thinking
And let them embrace strategic thinking and shift away from oil and genuinely diversify the economy
O God of Nigeria, implant in the heart, mind, spirit,
Soul and body of every Nigerian love for each other,
Respect for each other in an atmosphere of peace
Surpassing all understanding and having respect for one another’s faith Without recourse to religious bigotry in dealing with one another
On daily basis in word and in deed;
Let this spirit of love permeate every fabric of our society
So that whether in the North, South, East or West of our country
We shall in peace and harmony live together
In a country where there’s no North, no South, but one Nigeria;
In a country where there is no division as to ethnic nationality, but one Nigeria;
In a country where there’s no division as to indigineship, settlership, but citizenship only;
Where all Nigerians are citizens of one great and indissoluble country,
Having one mission, vision, one dream, one purpose, one destiny with one commonality
As one people, set to take over the world in all things-politics, science, innovations, technology,  sports, agriculture, cultures, standard of living, social welfare and per capita income, etc.
Help us to build a nation where no one will be persecuted, killed for embracing or belonging to a Faith;
Give us the spirit as a people to strive for excellence, competitive performance instead of the usual recourse to hereditary privilege;
Help us to do God and not religion, church or mosque,
O God of Nigeria, give us the wisdom, courage to bring up
Our children in the fear and nurture of you;
Give them and the coming generations the grace not to give up on Nigeria;
But that they should act their own part in the rebuilding of Nigeria,
Never to be bitter, but be sufficiently angry
to challenge the status quo, committed, loyal and patriotic
And when they shall ask us in this national Odyssey,
“Are we nearly there?”
Let us then respond with love and inspiring words that
“We are not nearly there yet, but on our way
And we shall arrive very soon on eagle’s wings.”
Yes, we shall soon arrive on eagle’s wings
And some day our Nigeria will rule the world
Again we sing the song of Nigeria in unison:
Nigeria will rule the world!

JOHN ODEY ADUMA
        British Chevening Scholar, lives in the United Kingdom.