In the effort to introduce Citizenship Studies, a component of National Orientation Agency (NOA's) National Values Charter (NVC), into the Nigerian universities' curriculum, a joint committee of NOA, National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Nigerian media was inaugurated at agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

The committee, which comprised representatives of NUC, NOA and the media, was inaugurated by the Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, with a charge to come up with draft for subsequent consideration and incorporation into the curriculum.

Speaking on the initiative, Issa-Onilu described the Nigerian Identity Project (NIP), which consists of the NVC, as a deliberate effort to restore Nigeria to its original foundation, describing NIP as a national movement that is not built on slogans, but rather an action, a shared responsibility and a commitment to institutional transformation.

He said at the heart of NIP is the NVC, which he described as a renewed social contract between Nigeria and its people adding that the charter is structured around two pillars - the Nigerian Promise, which outlines what every citizen deserves and the Citizen Codes, which define the values citizens are expected to exemplify.

According to him, the principles are not abstract, and hence, must be inculcated in young Nigerians, recalling that Citizenship Studies have already been fully incorporated into Nigeria’s primary and secondary school curricular.

He tasked the team to work diligently with a view to ensuring that Nigerian universities don’t only produce graduates, but also nurture citizens who will showcase the Nigerian identity with honour and dignity.

In her remarks, the leader of NUC team, Mrs Florence Uju Onuoha, expressed gratitude to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approving this bold initiative of NOA to develop a curriculum for Citizenship Studies, saying the decision reflects deep commitment to nurture responsible citizens, foster national unity, strengthen democratic values and positively shape the character and future of the youth.

Onuoha assured the NOA's director-general that the joint committee would effectively discharge its responsibility in collaboration with academic experts who specialise in curriculum development.

Bala Musa
Director, Communications and Media