By Jane Salihu
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Amupitan, has called for a stronger grassroots partnership with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to deepen civic education and reinforce democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the call on Wednesday while receiving the Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, and his delegation during a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said credible elections depend not only on efficient electoral administration but also on an informed and engaged citizenry, stressing that technological innovations and electoral reforms alone cannot guarantee successful elections if citizens lose confidence in the democratic process.
The INEC Chairman identified voter apathy and the growing spread of misinformation as major threats to Nigeria’s democracy, urging both institutions to work together to provide continuous voter education beyond election periods.
According to him, recent elections demonstrated improvements in election management through technology but also exposed knowledge gaps among voters, especially first-time voters, underscoring the need for sustained public enlightenment in local languages.
Amupitan said NOA’s nationwide grassroots presence makes it a critical partner in educating citizens, combating fake news, discouraging vote-buying and promoting active participation in the electoral process.
Responding, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu described the proposed collaboration as timely, noting that NOA’s extensive nationwide structure places the agency in a strategic position to sustain civic and voter education across the country.
He disclosed that NOA operates 818 offices nationwide, including offices in all 774 local government areas, the 36 states and six zonal directorates, giving the agency the capacity to reach communities at the grassroots.
Issa-Onilu maintained that civic education should not be confined to election periods, insisting that Nigerians must be continuously educated on their democratic rights and civic responsibilities.
“Education is not adequate if it is done only during elections. It has to be continuous. Even in an election year, it should not start only a few months before voting,” he said.
The NOA Director-General added that patriotism, public trust and confidence in democratic institutions cannot be imposed but must be built through consistent public engagement, transparent governance and responsible leadership.
He also observed that the 2023 electoral experience exposed significant civic knowledge gaps, particularly among young and first-time voters who were easily influenced by misinformation circulating on digital platforms.
