The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has inaugurated a seven-member joint committee of the NOA and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to develop a framework for the nationalisation of cartoons aired in Nigeria.
In a move to preserve Nigerian culture, promote national values and reorientate the youth, the Federal Executive Council, the highest policy-making body in Nigeria, had last year approved a policy that 70 per cent of cartoon content in the country must be Nigerian.
Speaking at the committee inauguration event yesterday, Mallam Issa-Onilu noted that cartoons are powerful tools for shaping children’s worldview and identity, adding that for decades, Nigerian screens have lacked content reflecting our local realities and aspirations, having been dominated by foreign cartoons and their influences.
Quoting an African proverb which says, “Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter,” he emphasised the need for Nigerian children to see themselves positively represented in the cartoons they watch.
The Director General linked the Nationalisation of Cartoons Policy to the Nigerian Identity Project, which seeks to instill core values such as honesty, hard work, respect, discipline, and unity. He added that homegrown cartoons foster resilience, collaboration, and cultural pride, helping children internalise these values and build confidence to contribute meaningfully to society.
Mallam Issa-Onilu urged members of the newly-inaugurated committee to approach their work with discipline, transparency, commitment and dedication, expressing confidence that their efforts will transform Nigeria’s media landscape into one that educates, uplifts, and unites citizens while preserving our cultural heritage.
Speaking on behalf of her organisation, Mrs. Stella Erhunmwunsee, Director of Broadcast Policy and Research at the NBC, assured Nigerians that the Commission would revise the Nigeria Broadcasting Code to mandate indigenous cartoon content, collaborate with media houses, organise awareness campaigns, and provide technical training on compliance, with respect to the new cartoon nationalisation policy.
She highlighted the role of zonal directors in monitoring media houses and noted that NOA’s participation in code reviews would ensure that the policy is firmly embedded in broadcasting standards.
Members of the newly-inaugurated committee include:
- Alh. Nuhu Kobi – NOA
- Mallam Bala Musa – NOA
- Barr. Williams Dogo -NOA
- Mrs. Blessing Oyem – NOA
- Mrs. Sherifat Adegbesan – NOA
- Mrs. Stella Erhunmwunsee – NBC
- Susan Obi – NBC
- 8. Pauline Ehusani – NBC
