The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to rebuilding trust between the Nigerian government and its citizens through a series of targeted national reorientation programmes.

Issa-Onilu made this known during a public engagement session in Abuja, where he emphasized that the growing mistrust in government institutions poses a significant threat to national unity and sustainable development. According to him, the NOA is deploying a new strategic framework focused on values, integrity, and civic responsibility as tools for mending the frayed relationship between the state and its people.

“The National Orientation Agency is not just preaching patriotism,” he said. “We are engaging communities, schools, religious institutions, and the media to drive a message of accountability, unity, and national identity. Nigerians need to believe once again that this country works for all.”

A cornerstone of this rebranding effort is the National Identity Reorientation Project, which seeks to redefine what it means to be Nigerian by promoting shared values, community participation, and social cohesion.

Issa-Onilu acknowledged that one of the agency’s major challenges remains underfunding and limited reach in rural areas. Despite this, he expressed optimism that with increased collaboration from state governments, the private sector, and civil society groups, NOA can amplify its impact.

The agency has already initiated several grassroots campaigns, including anti-corruption drives, youth empowerment seminars, and digital awareness programmes targeting misinformation.

“We are laying the foundation for a new Nigeria where leaders and citizens are bound by trust, honesty, and mutual respect,” Issa-Onilu added.

The NOA’s renewed activism comes at a time when public trust in institutions is widely perceived to be at a low ebb, exacerbated by insecurity, economic hardship, and political discontent. Analysts view the agency’s current direction as timely and necessary for national healing and long-term stability.