The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has rejected claims by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) that it is exceeding its statutory responsibilities by being involved in the proposed National Learner Identification Number (LIN) initiative.
NANS, through a statement signed by its President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, had opposed the proposed LIN, arguing that the initiative could create a system similar to the National Identification Number (NIN). The association also questioned why the NOA was involved in communicating the initiative, suggesting that the Agency was venturing beyond its legal mandate.
Responding to the concerns, NOA Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, clarified that the Agency did not develop the LIN initiative and has no responsibility for implementing it.
In a statement issued by Paul Odenyi, Deputy Director of Communication and Media at the agency, Issa-Onilu explained that NOA’s role is to communicate government policies, programmes and activities to Nigerians and provide platforms through which citizens can engage with government.
He noted that the Agency’s communication responsibilities cover policies and programmes across government and are not restricted to initiatives created or executed by NOA.
According to him, the Agency collaborates with Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure that members of the public have access to reliable, timely and understandable information about government policies and programmes.
Issa-Onilu said it was important to distinguish between the roles of policy formulation, implementation and public communication. He stressed that the relevant government authorities remain responsible for developing and implementing the LIN initiative, while NOA’s responsibility is to communicate information about the policy to the public.
He explained that this includes providing Nigerians with accurate information about the initiative and creating opportunities for citizens to ask questions, raise concerns and share their views.
The NOA boss said the approach is part of the Agency’s renewed focus on two-way public engagement, including its Pulse of the Nation reports, which gather citizens’ opinions and communicate their feedback to government.
While recognising NANS as a key stakeholder in discussions concerning policies affecting students, Issa-Onilu advised the students’ body to channel its specific concerns about the LIN initiative to the government institution responsible for the policy.
He maintained that communicating a government policy should not be interpreted as an attempt to formulate, enforce or implement the policy.
Issa-Onilu therefore urged NANS and other stakeholders to differentiate between the government body responsible for driving a policy and NOA’s statutory role of informing and engaging citizens about such policies.
He further assured that the Agency remains willing to engage with NANS, students and other stakeholders on issues surrounding the proposed LIN, including questions about how it would relate to the existing NIN system.
The NOA Director-General reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to transparent, inclusive and two-way communication, noting that public feedback remains essential to effective policy communication and democratic governance.
