Following awareness and sensitisation gaps, lawmakers tabled 11 out of 605 motions demanding action from the NOA on drug abuse, treatment of gunshot victims, and other critical issues of national importance
Nigerians are becoming increasingly aware of national issues ranging from mental health and drug use to public safety and citizenship largely due to the influence of mass media. Television, radio, newspapers, and particularly social media have played a pivotal role in shaping public perception and fostering civic engagement.
Central to this mission is the Ministry of Information and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), which, through their mandates, work to build public awareness, promote responsible citizenship, and nurture national unity.
Yet, despite these efforts, challenges such as rising drug abuse among youth, mental health crises, public safety threats, and the abuse of disability rights amongst others persist.
A recent example is the arrest of popular Lagos socialite, Emeka Okonkwo, known as E-Money, over alleged abuse of the naira and defacement of foreign currency. But how many Nigerians understand the legal and economic consequences of such actions?
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Similarly, arrests by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for cybercrime and by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for drug trafficking have become near-weekly occurrences.
According to a 2018 UN drug survey, over 14 million Nigerians have either experimented with or are addicted to drugs—a staggering figure for a population now estimated at 223 million.
The struggle to fully implement the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 also remains evident. Key provisions, such as criminalising discrimination, ensuring equal employment opportunities, and improving access to public infrastructure, are yet to be fully realised across many parts of the country.
The Act mandates the Ministry of Information to drive awareness on the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities—another area where sensitisation remains insufficient.
In response to these growing concerns, lawmakers in the 10th House of Representatives have increasingly turned to the National Orientation Agency (NOA). Between June 2023 and March 2024, out of 605 motions targeting national concerns, 11 specifically directed the parent ministry and the NOA to lead public enlightenment campaigns—a reflection of the legislature’s growing call on the agency to shape public attitudes and promote civic responsibility.
The House Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values, chaired by Rep. Olusola Fatoba (APC, Ekiti), was tasked with ensuring compliance. Data obtained by Parliament Reports underscores a consistent legislative push for awareness across a spectrum of issues—drug abuse, disability rights, public safety, youth delinquency, and more.
Despite these calls, lawmakers believe that many Nigerians remain uninformed or misinformed about issues directly impacting their lives. However, they also argue that the ministry lacks the necessary funding to execute its wide-ranging mandate. During the 2025 budget defence session, the N8.7 billion allocated to the ministry was criticised as “grossly inadequate.”
Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., the House spokesperson, echoed this concern, arguing that several government agencies without proper expertise were executing information functions instead. He advocated for the consolidation of all budgetary allocations related to information and orientation under the Ministry, where the institutional expertise exists.
Addressing Drug Abuse and Youth Delinquency
Drug and alcohol abuse among young people was a consistent theme across the 11 motions. On December 12, 2023, during the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child, Rep. Kafilat Ogbara (APC, Lagos) urged the NOA and NDLEA to initiate targeted awareness campaigns for adolescent girls. She has remained an advocate for women and girl-child empowerment.
Rep. Kelechi Nwogu (PDP, Rivers), on December 21, 2023, highlighted the surge in cultism, trafficking, and illicit drug consumption, calling for awareness efforts in schools, religious institutions, and local communities. He also demanded stricter regulation of films promoting social vices.
Rep. Moshood Oshun (APC, Lagos) went a step further, advocating for mandatory drug testing in secondary schools and intensified campaigns by NOA and NDLEA.
Public Safety and Emergency Response
Public safety also featured prominently. Following a series of boat mishaps in 2023 that claimed over 300 lives particularly in Kwara and Anambra Rep. Rodney Ambaiowei (PDP, Bayelsa), on October 4, 2025, urged a nationwide water safety awareness campaign led by the NOA and the National Meteorological Agency. Encouragingly, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) later reported a 30 percent decline in waterway fatalities in 2024.
Rep. Odianosen Okojie (APC, Edo) on February 13, 2025, decried hospitals’ refusal to treat accident victims without police reports. He cited the tragic case of Miss Greatness Olorunfemi in Abuja, who died after being denied urgent care. His motion called for a campaign to educate both medical personnel and the public on the importance of immediate medical treatment.
Mental Health and Disability Rights
Mental health was also brought to the fore. Rep. Uchenna Nwachukwu (APGA, Anambra), on October 4, 2025, urged collaboration between the NOA and Ministry of Health to implement the 2021 Mental Health Law and establish a National Counselling Centre.
Rep. Bashiru Dawodu (APC, Lagos), on November 14, 2023, called for public education on the Disability Act of 2018, lamenting the persistent marginalisation of persons with disabilities despite legal safeguards.
Promoting Locally Made Products
In a push to promote local industry, Rep. Afolabi Moruf Afuape (APC, Ogun), on March 19, 2024, advocated for a national campaign to revive and promote the traditional adire/kampala fabric industry. His motion called on the NOA and the House Committee on Information to promote Nigeria’s cultural heritage and encourage patronage of locally made products.
Other Public Interest Issues
Other motions addressed a range of safety and regulatory concerns. Rep. Taofeek Ajilesoro (PDP, Osun), called for public education on wild animal safety following a fatal incident at OAU’s zoological garden. Rep. Adamu Gamawa (AC, Bauchi) pushed for a collaborative sensitisation effort by the NDLEA, NAFDAC, SON, and NOA on drug abuse.
Rep. Okpolupm Etteh’s motion advocated for reviving NTA Channel 35 in Eket, Akwa Ibom, to strengthen public broadcasting and grassroots communication.
Parliament Reports made several attempts to obtain responses from the movers of these motions and the House Committee on Information on steps taken to ensure implementation. As of the time of filing this report, no formal responses were received.
As the 10th House of Representatives continues deliberations, one thing is clear: the burden of public enlightenment remains critical. Legislating solutions is only the first step—real change hinges on awareness, engagement, and an informed citizenry capable of holding systems accountable and driving national transformation.
Motions & Movement is an initiative of OrderPaper that tracks motions raised by lawmakers during plenary and offers insights into the progress of resolutions by parliamentary committees
