By John Dike Osogbo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) have deepened collaboration to boost voter education ahead of the November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election and future national polls
INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to this strategic alliance during a meeting with the NOA’s Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, and his team at the electoral body’s jeadquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Yakubu described NOA as a key national stakeholder in the democratic process, noting that inter-agency collaboration remains vital to the Commission’s success.
He said, “As the national election management body in Nigeria, we are fully aware that our mandate cannot be delivered in isolation. We must work closely with stakeholders like NOA to drive effective civic engagement and voter education.”
Commending the NOA’s innovations under Issa-Onilu, Yakubu highlighted the launch of the NOA Content Factory including NOA TV, NOA Radio, and The Explainer newsletter, as critical tools for strengthening civic awareness and communication.
Also, he noted the agency’s use of technology, including its virtual hackathons and drive for AI-powered data management, which he described as “commendable strategies for reaching young Nigerians both at home and abroad.”
Yakubu emphasized INEC’s readiness for deeper collaboration through its Voter Education and Publicity Department, and the newly established Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division under its ICT Department.
He also urged NOA to work more closely with political parties, civil society organisations, and the media to expand voter mobilisation.
“INEC will continue to carry out its core voter education duties, but we also rely on partners like NOA to amplify these efforts at the grassroots,” he added.
He also announced that NOA has been incorporated into the expanded membership of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and will play an active role in the soon-to-be restructured National Inter-Agency Committee on Voter Education and Publicity (NICVEP).
In his remarks, Issa-Onilu expressed appreciation to INEC for the ongoing partnership and reiterated the need to tackle the persistent lack of awareness about the roles and responsibilities of both agencies, especially at the grassroots.
“There is a clear need for joint action to bridge the information gap among citizens, particularly in underserved communities,” Issa-Onilu stated.
Both agencies agreed to intensify their efforts toward building an informed electorate, as Nigeria prepares for future democratic exercises.
