The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, has urged Nigerian creative artists to produce content that portrays the full range of the nation’s positive developments, moving away from what he described as a one-sided focus on negativity.
Speaking at the Women in Film and Television (WIFT) conference in Lagos, Issa-Onilu, represented by NOA’s South West Director, Funke Salako, highlighted the government’s push to “nationalize” cartoon content.
READ ALSO: Kanyinsola Ajayi makes history as first Nigerian in 18 years to reach World Championships 100m final
This policy, he explained, aims to reduce the large volume of foreign programming and help preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage by creating stories rooted in indigenous culture, history, and civic identity.
Issa-Onilu stated that the NOA has developed a “National Identity Project,” anchored by the “National Values Charter,” to guide this effort.
The charter is designed to be a roadmap for rebuilding Nigerian identity and is structured around three components: the Nigerian Promise, the Citizens’ Code, and Institutionalization Policies.
He told the audience, which included diplomats and artists from Nigeria and other countries, to “imagine the transformative power” of producing content that features heroes who speak local languages, sing Nigerian songs, and embody the nation’s values.
He believes this would produce a generation of children who learn about discipline, tolerance, and leadership from engaging animations.
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe admits Isak situation is lose-lose amid Liverpool transfer pursuit
The WIFT conference is an annual event for female creative artists in Nigeria to network, share ideas, and address challenges within the film and creative industry.
The Nigerian chapter of the forum is led by veteran movie producer, Joke Silva.
