NOA: We’re Not Behind Learner ID Number.... Says Issa-Onilu

"NOA’s involvement was limited to its statutory responsibility of communicating government policies, programmes and activities to Nigerians, as well as providing platforms for citizens to engage with government." Issa-Onilu, Director General National Orientation Agency

.... Says "the agency’s communication mandate covers policies and programmes across government and is not restricted to initiatives formulated or implemented by NOA.

“As the primary government agency responsible for public orientation, NOA works across Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure that citizens receive accurate, timely and understandable information about government policies, programmes and activities.

.... There is a clear distinction between policy formulation, implementation and communication. The institutions responsible for the LIN remain in charge of its formulation and implementation."

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has dismissed allegations by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) that it is exceeding its statutory mandate by promoting the proposed National Learner Identification Number (LIN).

NANS had rejected the proposed LIN, describing it as unnecessary and potentially duplicative of the National Identification Number (NIN). The students’ body also questioned NOA’s involvement in the initiative.

But the Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, yesterday clarified that the agency neither originated nor implements the LIN initiative.

He said NOA’s involvement was limited to its statutory responsibility of communicating government policies, programmes and activities to Nigerians, as well as providing platforms for citizens to engage with government.

Issa-Onilu explained that the agency’s communication mandate covered policies and programmes across government and was not restricted to initiatives formulated or implemented by NOA.

“As the primary government agency responsible for public orientation, NOA works across Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure that citizens receive accurate, timely and understandable information about government policies, programmes and activities,” he said.

He stressed that there was a clear distinction between policy formulation, implementation and communication, adding that the institutions responsible for the LIN remained in charge of its formulation and implementation.

According to him, NOA’s role is to explain government policies to Nigerians in clear and accessible terms while providing platforms for citizens to express their views and concerns.

He cited the agency’s “Pulse of the Nation” reports as part of its renewed approach to two-way communication, saying the reports capture citizens’ opinions and reactions and feed them back to government.

The DG acknowledged NANS as an important stakeholder whose views should be heard on policies affecting students, but advised the association to direct its concerns about the LIN to the appropriate government institution.

Issa-Onilu, in a statement issued and signed by Paul Odenyi Deputy Director Communications of the Agency, said "NOA remains open to engagement with NANS, students and other stakeholders, including on concerns about the relationship between the LIN and NIN."

He added that communicating a government policy did not amount to formulating, imposing or implementing it.

“NOA’s role is to ensure that citizens understand what government is doing, why it is doing it and how they can engage with it. This is fundamentally different from being the institution that formulates or implements the policy,” he said.