National Orientation Agency, Nigeria.

03/09/2026

NOA DG Urges Collaboration to Protect Elections from Digital Disinformation

The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has called for stronger collaboration among electoral stakeholders, the media, technology platforms, academia and civil society to protect Nigeria’s elections from misinformation, disinformation and the misuse of emerging technologies.

Issa-Onilu made the call in his goodwill message at the 13th Annual Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) in Abuja, themed, “Media, Technology and Elections in Africa: Navigating Digital Disruption and the New Dynamics of Electoral Communication.”

He urged stakeholders to promote information integrity, strengthen digital and media literacy, and ensure the responsible use of artificial intelligence ahead of the next election cycle.

The NOA DG noted that while digital technology and AI could enhance civic engagement, they could also accelerate the spread of false information, manipulated content and deepfakes capable of undermining public confidence in elections.

He said the NOA remained committed to informing, educating, listening to and mobilising citizens through its nationwide grassroots structure, while promoting national values and responsible citizenship.

Issa-Onilu cautioned that social media trends did not necessarily reflect the views of the wider population and urged citizens and media practitioners to verify information before sharing it. He also stressed the need to distinguish legitimate criticism from misinformation and disinformation.

He identified institutional coordination, digital literacy, transparency around AI-generated and sponsored political communication, community-based communication, and stronger links between research and policy as priorities.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Ojo Amupitan, represented by National Commissioner Professor Sani Muhammad, emphasised the importance of technology, professional communication and stakeholder collaboration in strengthening electoral credibility.

Professor Muhammad said technologies such as biometric accreditation and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) could improve electoral integrity and transparency, but stressed that technology alone could not guarantee credible elections. He identified effective institutions, professionalism, transparency, accountability and public trust as equally essential.

He called for accurate and timely electoral information and closer collaboration among INEC, the media, academia, civil society, technology experts and other stakeholders.

The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Professor Azeez Adesina, said the conference provided an important platform to examine the changing communication environment and the intersection of media, technology and elections ahead of 2027.

He called for greater collaboration among academia, the media, government, regulators, civil society and technology companies, while urging young scholars to embrace innovation, research and professional ethics.

Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, representing the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, also called for practical measures to promote responsible technology use in electoral communication and highlighted the potential of AI-driven engagement platforms.

The ACSPN National President, Professor Rotimi Williams Olatunji, said Africa had entered a new digital electoral era and urged Nigeria to lead in technological innovation while protecting electoral integrity.

He warned against AI-enabled disinformation and deepfakes, calling for an integrated electoral information integrity framework involving INEC, political parties, the media, technology platforms, civil society and communication scholars.

The conference featured ACSPN Fellowship and Special Awards, including posthumous recognition for Professors Lai Oso and Dayo Alao. Olatunji reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to linking media practice and scholarship and urged that the conference outcomes be translated into policies, professional practices and sustainable partnerships.

03/09/2026

FG to Deploy EFCC Recovered Funds to Student Loans

The Federal Government is set to redirect recovered assets to the future of Nigerian students. At its last meeting, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a policy to deploy proceeds from confiscations and forfeitures by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, into the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND. The move is designed to make the student loan scheme sustainable and to ensure that money recovered from corruption directly benefits young Nigerians.

Under the new arrangement, cash recoveries from EFCC forfeitures, after legal processes, will be paid into a dedicated NELFUND account. Only liquid funds recovered by the EFCC, not properties or assets still subject to legal proceedings, will deployed towards the loans scheme.

NELFUND was established to provide interest-free loans to students in tertiary institutions for tuition and upkeep. Repayments will go back into the fund to support future students. Over 1.5 million students have applied to NELFUND since it was established.

The FEC decision links two major government priorities: fighting corruption and expanding access to education.

02/09/2026

FG Selects Five States, FCT for Pilot Ranching Programme

The Federal Government has selected Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Adamawa states, alongside the FCT, for the pilot implementation of its National Ranching Policy. The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, disclosed this recently after briefing President Bola Tinubu in Abuja. The pilot will begin at the Wase Grazing Reserve in Plateau State as a test of the government’s new ranching model.

The initiative will encourage pastoralists to keep livestock in designated locations instead of moving long distances in search of pasture and water. The Ministry is also engaging pastoral organisations and promoting fodder cultivation to support the transition to ranching and help reduce farmer-herder conflicts.

The initiative is also expected to tackle cattle rustling, improve livestock management and create a national livestock database. The government is expanding veterinary services, dairy development, modern abattoirs and fodder production, with seven model veterinary clinics already established and plans to establish at least one model veterinary hospital in every state.

02/09/2026

Nigerian of the Week:

Daniel Umemezie, The Nigerian-American Teenage Poetry Champion

At just 18 years old, Nigerian-American poet Daniel Umemezie has achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the 2026–2027 National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States. His achievement places him among the most outstanding young literary voices in America and makes him the 10th young person to hold the prestigious title.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Daniel moved to the United States with his family at the age of 13. Although he has spent years in America, his Nigerian roots remain a significant part of his identity and his work. His poetry often explores themes of culture, identity, migration, family, belonging and the experience of growing up between two worlds. One of his notable works, “I Come From Two Nigerias,” reflects his unique experience of navigating both his Nigerian heritage and his American upbringing.

Before earning the national title, Daniel had already distinguished himself as the Cedar Valley Youth Poet Laureate and the Iowa Student Poet Ambassador. He was selected for the national honour from hundreds of young poets representing more than 120 youth poet laureate programmes across the United States. His selection also made him the first Iowan to receive the National Youth Poet Laureate honour and only the second Nigerian-American to do so.

Interestingly, poetry is only one part of Daniel's remarkable talents. He has a strong background in music and the arts, having played several musical instruments and explored creative pursuits ranging from drawing and painting to crocheting and architecture.

Yet, despite his achievements in the arts, he plans to pursue aerospace engineering, demonstrating that young people can excel across seemingly different fields.

As National Youth Poet Laureate, Daniel hopes to use his voice to promote multilingual and diasporic poetry, encourage civic participation and create space for young people to speak about issues that matter to them.

His journey is a beautiful reminder that Nigerian excellence can travel across borders and that our stories, culture and creativity can make an impact anywhere in the world.

Daniel Umemezie is not only making history with his poetry; he is carrying a piece of Nigeria with him and using his voice to tell stories that connect cultures and generations. For his remarkable achievement at such a young age, Daniel Umemezie is our Nigerian of the Week. 🇳🇬👏🏽✨

01/09/2026

FG APPROVES FOUR NEW SATELLITES FOR NATIONAL SECURITY, AGRICULTURE, OTHERS

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the development and deployment of four new satellites to further strengthen the nation’s space technology and earth observation capabilities.

The initiative, being implemented through the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), will enhance the use of satellite technology in critical areas including national security, agriculture, environmental monitoring, disaster management, urban planning and other areas of national development.

The four satellites comprise three optical satellites and one Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, providing Nigeria with improved capacity to monitor and gather timely information about the country's land and environment, including under cloudy conditions and at night.

This important government initiative demonstrates the federal government's commitment to leveraging science, technology and innovation for national development, strengthening Nigeria's technological capacity and supporting evidence based decision making.

31/08/2026

FEC Approves Amendment to Decriminalise Attempted Su***de in Mental Health Act Overhaul

Under the Nigerian law, attempting su***de is a crime punishable by a fine, a prison term of up to one year, or both. Now, the federal government is about to change that. At its meeting held on August 18, the Federal Executive Council approved the decriminalisation of su***de and the reframing of the issue as one of mental health, as has long been demanded by doctors, human rights groups and families.

A Law That Punished Pain
The existing laws on su***de were written decades ago when mental health was poorly understood. The result was a system that punished people at their lowest point. The World Health Organisation estimates Nigeria records to be more than 17,000 su***de deaths every year and attempts to commit su***de are several times higher. Yet less than 10% of Nigerians who need mental health care can access it, largely because of stigma, cost, and fear.

The Mental Health Act of 2023 was a major step. It focused on rights and services. But it did not repeal the old criminal provisions. FEC’s resolution now seeks to close that gap.

What Will Change?

The amendment to be drafted by the Attorney General and sent to the National Assembly will do four things:
• Remove criminal penalties for attempted su***de from Nigerian law;
• Mandate a health response: Police and first responders will refer people to hospitals and counseling instead of to court;
• Expand services: The Federal Ministry of Health will work with states to strengthen psychiatric care, counseling in schools, and community support;
• Fight stigma: A national awareness campaign will teach families and communities how to respond to someone in crisis.
This idea behind this new approach is not to encourage su***de, but to encourage people to seek help early, without fear of arrest.

Aligning With Global Practice
Nigeria is joining more than 20 countries that have decriminalised attempted su***de. Ghana’s Parliament passed the law in 2023 following a process that started in 2021. India decriminalised it in 2017. Kenya and Singapore have also moved away from prosecution, along with many others. Government says messaging will focus on prevention, hope, and available support.

The Work Ahead
There’s still work to be done but the approval by FEC is the first step. The processes to pass the bill into law by the National Assembly continues, then there will be continuous sensitisation of the people regarding su***de and the new law.

Conclusion
For many Nigerians living with depression, anxiety, and trauma, the FEC decision is a message: Your life matters, and help is coming. By choosing care over criminalisation, Nigeria is taking a bold step toward a health system that heals instead of punishes. As the bill heads to the National Assembly, the bill signals a national commitment to mental health.

28/08/2026

FG Unveils National Digital Cloud Policy to
Drive Investment and Public Sector Growth

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, has unveiled the National Digital Cloud Policy to establish a unified framework for data infrastructure.

Before now, Nigeria relied on fragmented systems and foreign hosting providers without a central strategy.

The policy modernises the national data ecosystem by attracting private investment, positioning Nigeria as a West African tech hub, and enforcing a "Cloud First" approach across federal agencies. It empowers domestic and international investors to build local data centres using a new National Digital Marketplace.

By aggregating government cloud demand across market development, regional exports, public sector transformation, and digital sovereignty, the strategy cuts redundant spending while safeguarding sensitive state data.

The announcement was made by the federal government through the office of the Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. 'Bosun Tijani, who stated that the framework shifts Nigeria from a passive consumer of global technology into a competitive regional exporter.

The initiative aligns with the administration's digital economy agenda, which prioritises local capacity building, economic growth, and public sector modernisation.

The strategy encompasses tax incentives, energy support, capital mobility, and mandatory technology transfer for participating tech firms.

Also, applying data localisation rules strictly to sensitive national assets balances open market competition with security, ensuring critical public infrastructure remains safe while expanding Nigeria's digital services across Africa.

27/08/2026

NOA Takes Campaign Against Drug Abuse, Rights Violations to Mabushi
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has intensified its grassroots campaign against drug abuse, gender-based violence, sexual harassment and violations of fundamental human rights, urging residents of Mabushi in the Federal Capital Territory to speak out against abuse, and work collectively towards building a safer, disciplined and value-driven society.
The agency made the call during a sensitisation programme held at the palace of the Hakimin Mabushi, His Royal Highness Hassan Dangana Mabushi, organised by the Abuse, Rights and Narcotics Department of the NOA in collaboration with the NOA FCT Directorate, OCI Foundation and Gender Mobile Initiative.
In her welcome address, the Director, NOA FCT, Princess Egbe Akenzua, expressed appreciation to HRH Hassan Dangana Mabushi and the people of Mabushi for their warm reception. She said the visit focused on safeguarding young people from the dangers of drug abuse and narcotics while promoting the fundamental rights and dignity of every citizen.
Princess Akenzua described traditional institutions as important custodians of societal values and called for stronger collaboration with parents, schools and youth organisations to educate, protect and empower young people to make positive choices.
Representing the Director-General of the NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Madam Acharu Opaluwa, Director, Department of Abuse, Rights and Narcotics, said the agency was committed to taking sensitisation on drug misuse, various forms of abuse and citizens’ rights to communities across the country.
She encouraged residents to speak out when their rights were violated but cautioned against taking the law into their own hands, stressing that “violence begets violence.”
Opaluwa also condemned domestic violence and bullying, stressing that beating or slapping a spouse under the guise of correction constituted abuse. She urged communities to provide love and support for children and young people experiencing feelings of rejection, fear or neglect.
Margaret Yenani, Deputy Director, Department of Abuse, Rights and Narcotics, delivered a presentation on fundamental human rights, educating participants on their rights guaranteed under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. Participants were encouraged to understand their rights and responsibilities and exercise them within the limits of the law.
The programme also featured a presentation by Gender Mobile Initiative, an Abuja-based non-governmental, titled “Changing the Norms That Sustain Sexual Harassment: A Community Approach.” The organisation emphasised that sexual harassment and gender-based violence are sustained by harmful social norms such as victim-blaming, silence and the protection of perpetrators because of their social status or influence.
Gender Mobile Initiative called for community-owned mechanisms involving traditional rulers, women, youths, parents, teachers and other stakeholders to challenge harmful norms and strengthen accountability.
The OCI Foundation, a non-governmental that focuses on advancing public health, education and social welfare, also participated in the programme, urging students to pay attention to the messages and share the knowledge gained with their peers and communities.
In his remarks, the Hakimin Mabushi, HRH Hassan Dangana Mabushi, commended the NOA and its partners for bringing the sensitisation programme to the community. He called for collective action by government, traditional institutions, parents, businesses, youths, women and community associations to tackle drug abuse and other social challenges.
He stressed that while citizens have fundamental rights, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the limits of the law, urging residents to support efforts aimed at maintaining peace and security in Mabushi.
The programme ended with a call for sustained collaboration among the NOA, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, parents, schools and other stakeholders to protect young people, promote peaceful coexistence and build a responsible and value-driven society.

27/08/2026

26/08/2026

NIGERIAN OF THE WEEK 🇳🇬

First Female Niger-Trained Neurosurgeon Takes on America

This week, we celebrate Dr. Salamat Ahuoiza Aliu-Ibrahim, Nigeria’s first indigenous-trained female neurosurgeon and a trailblazer whose remarkable career continues to break new ground on the global stage.

Dr. Aliu-Ibrahim recently made headlines following her appointment as Medical Director of Freeman Children’s Clinic in Joplin, Missouri, United States, a position she assumed on July 21, 2026. Her appointment represents another remarkable milestone in a career defined by excellence, courage and resilience.

A graduate of the University of Ilorin, Dr. Aliu-Ibrahim pursued specialist training in neurosurgery in Nigeria, completing her residency at the National Hospital, Abuja. In 2015, she became Nigeria’s first female neurosurgeon trained in the country and was also recognised as the first certified female neurosurgeon in West Africa.

Her pursuit of excellence took her beyond Nigeria, where she further specialised in paediatric neurosurgery at Boston Children’s Hospital, affiliated with Harvard Medical School.

But her journey did not end there.

After relocating to the United States and being unable to secure a neurosurgery residency position, Dr. Aliu-Ibrahim made the courageous decision to retrain in paediatrics a field she also loved. She completed her paediatric residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch and subsequently joined Freeman Health System in Joplin, Missouri.

Today, she serves as Medical Director of Freeman Children’s Clinic, where she continues to contribute to the health and wellbeing of children.

Dr. Salamat Aliu-Ibrahim’s story is more than a story of professional achievement. It is a story of breaking barriers, embracing change and refusing to let a setback define the limits of one's potential.

From making history as Nigeria’s first indigenous-trained female neurosurgeon to becoming a medical leader in the United States, her journey reminds us that excellence knows no boundaries.
Her story is an inspiration to every young Nigerian, especially young girls and women, who dares to dream beyond the boundaries of what has been done before.

We celebrate you, Dr. Salamat Ahuoiza Aliu-Ibrahim, for showing the world what Nigerian excellence looks like. You are our Nigerian of the Week.