The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has unveiled plans to ensure that at least 70 per cent of cartoons watched by Nigerian children reflect indigenous culture and values, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen national identity and civic consciousness.

Director-General of the agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).

He noted that the initiative is aimed at shaping positive values among young Nigerians increasingly exposed to foreign media content.

“We are working towards ensuring that at least 70 per cent of cartoons consumed by Nigerian children reflect our culture and values,” he said, stressing that early exposure to culturally relevant content is key to building responsible citizenship.

Issa-Onilu explained that the move is part of a wider effort by the agency to drive value reorientation, civic education and national identity building across the country.

He added that the NOA, which evolved from the MAMSER framework, operates through a network of over 800 offices nationwide, enabling it to reach communities at the grassroots.

He also emphasised the need for sustained voter and civic education ahead of the next general elections, particularly among young people who make up a large segment of the population.

“Emerging digital influences and foreign content are reshaping values, sometimes negatively. This makes structured civic engagement more critical than ever,” he said.

The NOA boss further revealed that the Agency has developed a Nigerian Identity Project under the National Values Charter, anchored on a “seven-for-seven” principle outlining mutual responsibilities between government and citizens.

According to him, the Federal Executive Council has approved the reintroduction of Citizenship Studies into school curricula at all levels.

On inclusion, he called for a shift from quota-based approaches to addressing deeper structural and cultural barriers limiting women’s participation in leadership.

In her remarks, NAWOJ National President, Aishatu Ibrahim, said the visit was aimed at deepening collaboration on civic and voter education, ethical journalism and the fight against misinformation ahead of the elections.

She proposed a joint initiative involving nationwide training workshops, community outreach programmes targeting women and youth, development of civic education materials in local languages, and coordinated media campaigns to encourage informed participation.

Also speaking, a member of NAWOJ Board of Trustees, Zubair Jide Atta, stressed the importance of strengthening national values and called for the integration of media and information literacy into the education system.