Amanze Chinonye
Zambia is turning to Nigeria’s National Orientation model as it works to reshape its civic education and behavioural change strategy, signalling a growing trend of African countries borrowing governance frameworks from within the continent rather than from Western institutions.
This shift became evident during a follow-up engagement between the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and officials of the Zambian High Commission in Abuja, where Zambia formally indicated interest in understudying Nigeria’s National Values Charter, the core of the Nigerian Identity Project recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
At the meeting, NOA Director-General Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu walked the Zambian delegation through the agency’s nationwide architecture, including its 818 offices that anchor federal messaging and citizen feedback across all local government areas. He emphasised that the agency’s long-standing grassroots presence has made it a stabilising tool for national cohesion, especially in times of political or social tension.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelREAD ALSO: NOA Calls For Stakeholder Collaboration In Tackling Rising Insecurity In FCT
NOA Boss Urges Nigerians To Take Advantage of Health Insurance Scheme
Deputy High Commissioner Jenipher Mutembo said Zambia sees in the NOA a “rare institutional advantage” that offers valuable lessons for strengthening civic culture at home. She also raised concerns about the influence of media portrayal, particularly Nollywood’s recurring depiction of rituals and occult themes on African youth, stressing the need for African countries to deliberately shape their cultural narratives.
Mutembo proposed a bilateral partnership covering civic education, cultural diplomacy and media content exchange, adding that Zambia is seeking models that reflect African realities rather than external blueprints.
Her remarks reflect what diplomats describe as a broader shift within Southern Africa toward developing behavioural change programmes suited to an increasingly digital and culturally fragmented society.
For Nigeria, the engagement signals a quiet endorsement of its decades-long investment in national orientation infrastructure an investment often criticised at home but now drawing external interest as African governments search for context-specific governance tools.
Both delegations agreed to continue technical discussions, positioning the National Values Charter as a potential cross-border framework for promoting shared African principles and people-centred governance.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
