The National Orientation Agency (NOA) headquarters convened with key stakeholders from various government institutions to discuss strategies for effectively communicating government services to citizens.
The engagement, held Yesterday, under NOA’s counter-narrative programme titled “Nigeria Has Happened to Me,” emphasized the need for government agencies to present their services in a more personal and relatable manner to improve public acceptance.
Addressing the stakeholders, NOA Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, stated that the initiative seeks to counteract negative narratives about Nigeria by showcasing real-life success stories stemming from government interventions.
He highlighted NOA’s extensive grassroots presence, with over 818 offices nationwide, as a critical tool for influencing public perception.
The project specifically aims to challenge the widespread negative use of the phrase “Nigeria Happened to Me,” which is often used by young Nigerians to express frustration with the country’s systems.
Instead, NOA intends to promote inspiring stories of citizens who have benefited from various government programs.
To drive this effort, Issa-Onilu revealed that NOA has partnered with 50 media companies to produce a series of five-minute documentaries showcasing the impact of government policies across sectors such as student loans, agriculture, housing, security, and healthcare.
These documentaries will feature firsthand accounts from beneficiaries whose lives have been positively transformed by government initiatives.
Stakeholders at the meeting agreed that changing the public perception of government services requires a shift in messaging, with a focus on personalized storytelling that resonates with everyday Nigerians.
