The Zambian government has expressed interest in understudying Nigeria’s National Values Charter, a key component of the proposed Nigerian Identity Project approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The move is aimed at exploring strategies for strengthening national identity, civic responsibility, and value-based governance in Zambia.
This development followed a high-level meeting in Abuja between officials of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), led by Director General Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, and a delegation from the Zambian High Commission, led by Deputy High Commissioner Jenipher Mutembo.
Welcoming the delegation, Issa-Onilu highlighted the scope and grassroots penetration of the NOA, noting that the Agency has 818 offices across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, 36 states, and the Federal Capital Territory.
“We are deeply rooted at the grassroots level and remain a vital communication channel between the government and the people,” he said. He explained that the Agency is responsible for communicating government policies to citizens and gathering public feedback to support policy decisions.
The NOA DG also spoke on the broader role of value-driven governance in Africa, stressing the need to recognise not only political leaders but also traditional, moral, and civil leaders as influencers in national reorientation. He recalled a recent engagement in the United Kingdom, where he discussed the NOA model with the Gambian High Commissioner, indicating growing continental interest in Nigeria’s civic engagement framework.
In her remarks, Deputy High Commissioner Mutembo commended Nigeria’s approach to grassroots mobilisation and civic education, saying Zambia sees the NOA model as a potential template for strengthening national values and public awareness.
“I must commend your presence in all local government areas. This grassroots model is powerful, and we see its potential as a framework other African countries, Zambia included, can learn from,” she said.
She emphasised the shared responsibility of African governments to shape positive cultural narratives, noting concerns in Zambia about themes in some Nollywood movies, including practices and beliefs that may negatively influence youth perceptions. Mutembo called for collaboration on media content exchange and cultural diplomacy to ensure African content promotes unity, innovation, dignity, and pride in African heritage.
The Zambian envoy proposed a formal structure for cooperation between both nations on civic education, national reorientation, and cultural values, stressing that Zambia is seeking models to support behavioural change and responsible citizenship.
Mutembo reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, describing Nigeria’s national orientation efforts as a valuable reference for Zambia’s development agenda.
The meeting marks a significant step toward enhanced South-South cooperation in governance and civic development across Africa.
