THE National Orientation Agency (NOA) has announced the launch of a new national animation award valued at N22.5 million to inspire creative storytelling that promotes Nigeria’s cultural identity, unity, and shared values.
The agency’s Director-General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this during the official unveiling of the competition in Abuja.
He said the award was part of the broader Nigerian Identity Project aimed at re-awakening citizens’ commitment to national values.
He explained that the initiative is anchored on the National Values Charter (NVC), a policy framework that outlines seven national promises and seven citizens’ codes intended to guide civic behaviour, public service ethics, and collective responsibility.
“The National Values Charter defines who we are as a people and the principles that hold us together. Through this animation award, we are calling on Nigerian creators to interpret and communicate these ideals in ways that resonate with today’s audiences,” Issa-Onilu said.
According to him, the 2026 edition of the award will run under the theme “Who is a real Nigerian?”, which seeks to challenge citizens and storytellers to explore themes of resilience, integrity, optimism, and creativity, attributes that the NOA said represented the essence of the Nigerian spirit.
Participants are required to produce short animated films of no more than three minutes in length, utilising any of the major techniques in the field — 2D, 3D – or stop-motion.
The top three winners will receive N10 million, N7.5 million, and N5 million, respectively. Their works will also enjoy nationwide broadcast and digital exposure for three months after the 2026 Lagos International Festival of Animation (LIFANIMA) Award Night, where winners will be officially celebrated.
Issa-Onilu noted that the competition is open only to Nigerian citizens and aims to provide both financial and professional support for young animators. He said it was part of the agency’s effort to “connect the values of patriotism and innovation through the language of visual storytelling.”
The initiative reflects NOA’s ongoing shift toward digital and visual media in its campaigns to promote unity and responsible citizenship. The agency, which operates under the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, has increased the use of radio dramas, documentaries, and social media content in recent years to reach younger audiences.
The ICIR reported that the NOA had been repositioning itself to address the country’s civic and identity challenges, including misinformation, declining trust in public institutions, and low participation in civic duties.
The National Values Charter, introduced in 2024, outlines a social compact between government and citizens, focusing on accountability, inclusiveness, and service to the nation. It emphasises ideals such as respect for the rule of law, community development, and pride in Nigeria’s diversity.
Issa-Onilu said the animation competition would serve as a “cultural mirror,” helping Nigerians rethink what it means to live by these shared principles.
“Our stories should inspire us to act with integrity, empathy, and optimism about our collective future,” he said.
Entries for the 2026 award are expected to open later this year, with a panel of judges drawn from Nigeria’s creative and academic communities. The NOA said shortlisted animations would also be used for educational and public enlightenment campaigns across television and online platforms.
By encouraging creators to interpret national values through visual art, the agency hopes to make civic education both appealing and relatable to new generations.
A reporter with the ICIR
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