Lawmakers Push to Boost NOA’s Budget for Better National Re-Orientation

The House of Representatives has initiated steps to increase the budget for the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to improve its service delivery and citizen engagement. This decision came after a motion was moved by Adewale Hameed, the representative for Agege Federal Constituency, Lagos State, highlighting the urgent need for better funding to support the agency’s work.

Speaking on the motion, Hameed emphasized the vital role NOA plays in promoting national values, unity, and patriotism. Despite its importance, he expressed concern over the agency’s insufficient funding, which limits its ability to effectively re-orient citizens across Nigeria.

Hameed noted that while the 2024 Appropriation Act allocates N8,819,470,967 to NOA, this amount is inadequate given the extensive responsibilities the agency carries nationwide. He stressed the urgency of empowering the agency to tackle youth restiveness and social vices through effective citizen re-orientation programs.

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“There is a need for immediate measures to address these vices and foster societal growth,” Hameed stated during the session.

In response, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and the House urged the Federal Government to review NOA’s budget in future allocations. Lawmakers also called on the agency to expand its presence across media platforms, creating more engaging content that highlights government policies and initiatives beneficial to citizens.

Furthermore, the House encouraged NOA to collaborate with various stakeholders, including ministries, traditional institutions, religious bodies, community leaders, and media outlets, to strengthen its outreach and impact.

To ensure progress, the House Committees on Information, National Orientation, Ethics, and Values have been tasked with conducting thorough oversight of the agency and presenting their findings within four weeks for further legislative action.