NOA says FG plans to make ‘Citizenship Studies’ a mandatory subject in schools

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) announced plans by the Federal Government to make Citizenship Studies a mandatory subject at all educational levels in Nigeria. The Director-General of NOA, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, shared this information during a Town Hall Meeting in Lokoja as part of his two-day working visit to Kogi.

Issa-Onilu explained the rationale behind integrating Citizenship Studies into the curriculum, stating, “The introduction of citizenship study into the country’s school education system was necessary to help inculcate the right values and characters into every Nigerian child.” He emphasized the need for this program by adding, “This will enable them to learn the right values and characters and how to be a good Nigerian and make the country proud anywhere they go.”

The Director-General outlined the scope of the initiative: “This will happen soon; and we are starting this year with 37,000 Citizenship Brigades, 1,000 per state in primary school and secondary schools.”

Furthermore, Issa-Onilu discussed the National Values Charter that NOA is spearheading, aiming to formally codify Nigerian values which he feels are currently undefined. He noted, “At present, no one can give a definite answer of who is a Nigerian in terms of values and characters.” He elaborated on the characteristics of a “proper Nigerian,” saying, “A proper Nigerian cannot be a kidnapper, bandit, get to government and become a thief; stealing government resources, promoting corruption, and bringing hardship to the people. A proper Nigerian is the one that becomes a governor and does the right things; provides infrastructures, creates employment, promotes peace and stability in the state.”

Issa-Onilu praised the stakeholders for their role in supporting NOA’s mission: “The director-general commended the stakeholders for always being ever-supportive and dependable in working with NOA to move Nigeria forward.”

The meeting also included discussions on other national challenges, with stakeholders urging NOA to impress upon the Federal Government the need to reduce the petroleum pump price to alleviate the suffering of the people. Additionally, Malam Zakariya Aliyu, representing the Council of Ulama’u, called for the “re-introduction of Religious Studies which should be made compulsory at all levels of education.”