The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has formally inaugurated a joint committee with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to develop a curriculum that will introduce Citizenship Studies into Nigerian universities marking a major milestone in the rollout of the Nigerian Identity Project (NIP) and the National Values Charter (NVC).
The inauguration ceremony, held at the NOA headquarters in Abuja, was performed by the Director-General of the Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, who charged the committee to design a robust draft curriculum for integration into tertiary institutions across the country.
Issa-Onilu described the Nigerian Identity Project as a national rebirth movement built not on slogans but on practical actions, shared responsibility and institutional transformation. He explained that the NIP is anchored on the National Values Charter, which he referred to as a renewed social contract between Nigeria and its citizens.
According to him, the NVC is structured around two foundational pillars:
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The Nigerian Promise – detailing what every Nigerian citizen deserves from the nation.
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The Citizen Codes – outlining the values, ethics and behaviours expected from citizens in return.
“These principles are not abstract concepts they must be deliberately taught, understood, and internalised,” he said. “This is why Citizenship Studies have already been successfully embedded in primary and secondary school curricula, and why universities must now take their place in this national effort.”
The NOA boss stressed that Nigerian universities must go beyond producing graduates with academic qualifications, to nurturing citizens who embody honour, responsibility, patriotism and a strong Nigerian identity.
Issa-Onilu tasked the joint committee to deliver a curriculum that will empower young people with the values required to strengthen democracy, promote unity, and rebuild national character.
In her remarks, the leader of the NUC team, Mrs. Florence Uju Onuoha, commended the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approving the NOA-led initiative, noting that the introduction of Citizenship Studies at the tertiary level reflects a national commitment to raising responsible, ethically grounded citizens.
She assured that the committee will collaborate with academic specialists in curriculum design to produce a comprehensive framework that meets global standards and aligns with national development goals.
The committee is expected to work with urgency to produce a draft curriculum for further review and approval, after which Citizenship Studies will formally become part of the Nigerian university education system completing the values pipeline that begins from primary school.
