By Peter Omopo | July 31, 2025
ABUJA — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration on public sensitisation and voter mobilisation, with the goal of increasing citizens’ participation in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The renewed partnership was announced during a courtesy visit by NOA Director-General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Yakubu stressed the importance of public enlightenment in achieving credible elections, noting that INEC’s constitutional mandate cannot be effectively carried out without the support of institutions like NOA.
“Voter education and sensitisation are vital to the electoral process, and NOA, with its grassroots reach and communication platforms, plays a central role in this regard,” Yakubu said.
He reiterated INEC’s willingness to work closely with NOA, especially ahead of the Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 8, as well as the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise commencing on August 18.
The INEC Chairman commended the agency’s recent initiatives, including national virtual hackathons and the launch of the NOA Content Factory, which produces civic education content through NOA TV, NOA Radio, and The Explainer Newsletter.
He also praised NOA’s embrace of modern technology, particularly its use of AI-powered data management, which he said aligns with INEC’s own digital transformation. He revealed that INEC had recently established an Artificial Intelligence Division under its ICT Department, opening new avenues for targeted strategic communication.
“Another crucial area where we need to strengthen our partnership is voter mobilisation,” Yakubu stated. “While INEC continues to carry out voter education, NOA’s engagement with political parties, civil society, the media and other stakeholders will help drive participation among underrepresented groups, including youth, women and persons with disabilities.”
Yakubu disclosed that NOA had been included in the expanded membership of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and would also play an active role in the revitalised National Inter-Agency Committee on Voter Education and Publicity (NICVEP).
In his remarks, NOA Director-General Lanre Issa-Onilu emphasized the urgent need to bridge the awareness gap at the grassroots regarding the roles of both INEC and NOA.
“We must join hands to ensure that Nigerians fully understand the mandates and responsibilities of our institutions, particularly at the community level,” Issa-Onilu said.
He expressed appreciation to INEC for its openness to collaboration, stressing that a united approach would be key to improving electoral participation and strengthening democracy in Nigeria.
