Abuja: The Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) has initiated a strategic partnership with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to promote ethical, evidence-based reporting as a means to combat misinformation.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the National President of NGIJ, Malam Abdulrahman Aliagan, emphasized the importance of this collaboration during a visit to the Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-onilu. Aliagan highlighted the need for cohesive efforts to strengthen civic education, tackle misinformation, and foster accountability within governance. Both NGIJ and NOA view investigative journalism as a vital component of Nigeria’s democratic progress.
Aliagan elaborated that the mandates of both NGIJ and NOA complement each other effectively. While NOA focuses on civic education, value re-orientation, and public enlightenment, investigative journalism provides verified information that empowers citizens to make informed decisions and hold public institutions accountable. He underlined that investigative journalism is pro-accountability and pro-transparency, not an adversarial force against the government, and aims to bolster institutions and restore public trust.
Identifying misinformation, declining public trust, social tension, and civic apathy as significant threats to Nigeria’s democracy, Aliagan urged for increased collaboration between journalists and NOA. He proposed joint public enlightenment campaigns, capacity-building on fact-checking, counter-disinformation efforts, and platforms for constructive public engagement. Additionally, he called for an environment conducive to ethical journalism, access to information, and institutional support for investigative reporting.
In response, Issa-Onilu expressed concern over the diminishing quality of investigative journalism in Nigeria, attributing it to erosion of depth and accuracy in media practices, which in turn fosters misinformation and social division. He stressed the importance of facts as essential tools for civic orientation and national unity, warning of the societal risks posed by a disregard for facts.
Issa-Onilu acknowledged the vital role of investigative journalism in promoting fairness, balance, and objectivity, and in compelling government accountability through informed public scrutiny. He also noted challenges faced by NOA in fulfilling its mandate, such as limited resources for voter education and civic enlightenment, which contribute to public misunderstanding of electoral processes.
He pledged support for NGIJ, offering collaboration through NOA’s network of Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers (COMOs) across local governments. These networks could serve as valuable sources of grassroots information for investigative journalists. He suggested forming a joint committee to explore areas of collaboration, including public enlightenment campaigns and counter-disinformation initiatives.
A highlight of the visit was the presentation of a plaque containing the National Value Charter to the NGIJ delegation by the Director-General, symbolizing a shared commitment to national values and civic responsibility. The delegation was also shown the historic National Executive Boardroom, preserving the legacy of Nigeria’s former President Shehu Shagari, as part of sustaining institutional memory and national heritage.