By Stella Odueme
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) have agreed to strengthen collaboration on voter education, public enlightenment and the promotion of peaceful elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this on Tuesday when he received a delegation of ACOE, led by its Chairman, Mr Sola Akingboye, on a courtesy visit to the agency's headquarters in Abuja.
Issa-Onilu said the proposed partnership would enable the agency to expand its public enlightenment activities, particularly among young Nigerians, through the extensive reach of online media organisations.
He noted that although NOA had 810 offices nationwide, collaboration with media organisations remained necessary to reach more citizens, especially as about 76 per cent of Nigeria's population was below the age of 35.
He assured the association of the agency's support, including access to relevant officials and field offices to facilitate news gathering and information dissemination.
On preparations for the 2027 elections, the NOA director-general said the agency had commenced a nationwide voter mobilisation campaign aimed at encouraging participation among nearly 100 million registered voters.
He disclosed that the campaign was formally launched about three weeks ago at the NAV Centre, with INEC, security agencies, development partners and civil society organisations participating.
According to him, the initiative is designed to educate Nigerians on their electoral rights and responsibilities before, during and after elections, while promoting peaceful conduct.
Issa-Onilu identified inadequate voter and democracy education as one of the major lessons from the 2023 general elections, noting that misconceptions about electoral procedures contributed to unnecessary controversies.
He cited misunderstandings surrounding the voting status of the Federal Capital Territory and the differences between electronic accreditation, voting and electronic transmission of results as issues requiring greater public awareness.
He also stressed that public confidence in INEC was critical to successful voter mobilisation, adding that citizens would be discouraged from participating if they believed their votes would not count.
The NOA boss urged journalists to embrace developmental journalism, uphold national interest and hold public institutions accountable without promoting misinformation or activities capable of undermining national stability.
Earlier, ACOE Chairman, Sola Akingboye, said the association, which comprises more than 50 online media organisations, was seeking a mutually beneficial partnership with NOA to strengthen public enlightenment and responsible information dissemination.
He commended the agency's initiatives, particularly the National Values Charter and grassroots communication programmes, saying ACOE's digital reach and editorial capacity could help amplify NOA's public awareness campaigns.
Akingboye requested timely access to official information, media visits to NOA's state and zonal offices, and regular engagements with the director-general and other officials.
He also invited the agency to partner with ACOE as a platinum sponsor of its public lecture scheduled for November 19, 2026, with a request for Issa-Onilu to deliver the keynote address.
The event is expected to bring together stakeholders from the media, government and private sector to discuss national development ahead of the 2027 general elections.