In a bid to nurture responsible and value-driven graduates, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has inaugurated a joint committee with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Nigerian media to introduce Citizenship Studies into university curricula.
The inauguration took place on Monday at NOA’s headquarters in Abuja.
NOA Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, tasked the committee with drafting a curriculum that reflects the Nigerian Identity Project (NIP) and the National Values Charter (NVC).
He described the initiative as a national movement aimed at fostering a renewed social contract between Nigeria and its citizens, emphasizing that citizenship values must be instilled in young Nigerians from schools to universities.
The Nigerian Identity Project, according to Mallam Issa-Onilu, is built not on slogans but on action, shared responsibility, and institutional transformation.
At its core is the NVC, structured around two pillars: the Nigerian Promise, which outlines citizens’ entitlements, and the Citizen Codes, which define the values every Nigerian should exemplify.
Mrs Florence Uju Onuoha, leader of the NUC team, praised the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approving the initiative, noting that it demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering national unity, democratic values, and character development among Nigerian youth.
She assured NOA of the committee’s dedication to working with academic experts to ensure a robust curriculum.
The move follows the successful integration of Citizenship Studies into primary and secondary schools across Nigeria.
NOA’s Director-General emphasized that universities must go beyond producing graduates, aiming instead to nurture citizens who embody Nigeria’s identity with honour and dignity.
