By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka
Abuja
The National Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Hajia Aisha Ibrahim, has called for deeper institutional collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to strengthen civic education, combat misinformation, and promote inclusive democratic participation in Nigeria.
This call was made on Friday, April 10, 2026, during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, by a delegation of NAWOJ executives.
Speaking during the visit, Hajia Aisha Ibrahim said NAWOJ was presenting a strategic partnership proposal aimed at improving citizen engagement, particularly around elections. She emphasized that elections must go beyond routine democratic events to processes that are widely understood, trusted, and actively owned by citizens.
According to her, “orientation, education, and citizen engagement are no longer optional—they are essential,” stressing the need for sustained public enlightenment to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic culture.
The proposed joint NOA–NAWOJ programme focuses on capacity building and training for journalists and community mobilizers, civic and voter education, combating misinformation, and promoting peaceful electoral participation.
Other areas of focus include development of simplified civic materials in local languages and nationwide media campaigns promoting unity, inclusivity, and informed voting.
The NAWOJ Chairperson emphasized the importance of inclusive governance, insisting that women, youths, and marginalized groups must be empowered to lead and contest for elective positions.
She advocated sustained national dialogue on greater female representation in governance, including special legislative seats for women, describing representation as “a fundamental right, not a privilege.”
In his response, the Director-General of NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, commended NAWOJ for its interventions in promoting responsible journalism, civic awareness, and democratic accountability in Nigeria.
He described NAWOJ as a critical partner in national development and said its contributions to civic education, gender advocacy, and ethical media practice have remained significant in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic space.
Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening public understanding of governance processes and expanding civic education outreach across Nigeria, with a shared goal of building a more inclusive, informed, and participatory democracy in Nigeria.
