Zambia to Adopt Nigeria’s National Values Charter

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Government of Zambia has expressed interest in adopting Nigeria’s National Values Charter, the core framework of the proposed National Identity Project earlier approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

A statement issued by By Paul Odenyi, Deputy Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) noted that the development followed a high-level meeting between officials of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), led by its Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, and a delegation from the Zambian High Commission in Nigeria, headed by Deputy High Commissioner Jenipher Mutembo, at the NOA headquarters in Abuja.

The engagement, which was the second between both parties, explored opportunities for Zambia to understudy the operational structure of the NOA and possibly replicate its civic reorientation model to strengthen national identity and value systems.

Welcoming the delegation, Issa-Onilu described the Agency as one of Nigeria’s most expansive institutions, with 818 offices across all 774 local government areas, 36 states, and the Federal Capital Territory. He explained that the NOA remains a vital communication bridge between the government and the people, ensuring that policies, programmes, and initiatives are effectively communicated to citizens while also collating grassroots feedback to inform decision-making.

“Our feedback mechanism is designed to support policy refinement. We report regularly to relevant institutions, including the National Assembly,” he stated.

The NOA boss said the Agency’s mandate includes promoting patriotism, civic responsibility, and national unity, adding that African nations must broaden their understanding of leadership beyond politics to include civil, traditional, and moral figures who shape values and identity.

He recalled that during a recent engagement in the United Kingdom, he met the Gambian High Commissioner in London, who expressed interest in the NOA’s work, further indicating a growing continental appreciation for Nigeria’s national orientation framework.

In her remarks, Mutembo commended the NOA’s robust institutional structure and nationwide presence, describing it as “a powerful model that other African countries, including Zambia, can learn from.”

She lauded the Agency’s openness in sharing its methodology in civic education and national reorientation, noting that Zambia and Nigeria share common values in promoting unity, cultural pride, and responsible citizenship.

“Our young people are learning and forming perceptions from what they see. As leaders, we must ensure that content—especially from powerful cultural platforms like Nollywood—inspires unity, dignity, and pride in African heritage,” she said.

Mutembo, however, raised concerns about recurring themes in some Nigerian films that glorify rituals and superstition, cautioning that such narratives could distort moral values among African youths.

She proposed the establishment of a formal mechanism for technical cooperation between Zambia and Nigeria in the areas of civic education, grassroots mobilisation, cultural diplomacy, and media content exchange.

Reaffirming Zambia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Nigeria, Mutembo said her country is eager to adopt proven models that drive behavioural change and civic responsibility in support of sustainable development.

She concluded by commending Nigeria’s structured investment in national orientation, describing it as a valuable reference point for Zambia’s own civic reorientation and development strategy.