By Ude Ogbonnaya Israel
The National Orientation Agency and the Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria have partnered to promote a nationwide reading culture, strengthen literacy, and nurture informed, responsible citizenship among Nigerians.
Receiving an NBRP delegation in Abuja, NOA Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by Director of Communication and Media, Mallam Bala Musa, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to education and positive behavioural change.
Musa said young Nigerians remain central to national development, describing them as custodians of the country’s future values, drivers of progress, and key actors responsible for shaping Nigeria’s long-term growth and stability.
On values reorientation, he revealed that the NOA has developed a National Values Charter defining core Nigerian ideals, adding that the document has received approval from the Federal Executive Council.
He explained that to institutionalise the charter, Citizenship Studies has been integrated into primary and secondary school curricula, while a partnership with the National Universities Commission will extend similar studies to universities.
Earlier, Abuja NBRP Coordinator, Chief Loye Olowookere, said the organisation promotes reading as a daily habit, stressing that books remain vital tools for intellectual growth, lifelong learning, and sustainable national development.
He announced that the Federal Capital Territory was recently named Book City of the Year, describing the honour as a boost reflecting stakeholders’ collective commitment to strengthening literacy, education, and a vibrant reading culture.
Olowookere highlighted initiatives including school quizzes, academic competitions, book distribution, and partnerships with relevant bodies, aimed at deepening reading culture across the FCT and encouraging students’ engagement with books nationwide efforts.
Also speaking, NBRP National Vice President, Mrs Msurshina Comfort Chenge, and FCT Secretary, Mrs Ayotola Ilori, pledged collaboration with NOA, as the meeting featured exchanges of IEC materials among participants.