The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has announced an institutional overhaul, dissolving its longstanding volunteer wing, the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) Brigade, and replacing it with the new Citizens Values Brigade.
This change follows the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and aligns with a September 2024 resolution and a proposed amendment to the NOA’s Establishment Act.
Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director-General of NOA, explained that the move is necessary because the WAI Brigade’s name and concept are no longer suitable under a democratic system.
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“A democratic government should not be seen as waging war against its citizens over indiscipline,” Issa-Onilu stated.
He stressed that while measures involving the use of force or coercion to enforce discipline may have been acceptable during military rule, they are “inconsistent with the principles of democracy.”
He announced that new guidelines for the structure, enlistment, and operations of the Citizen Values Brigade will be released soon.
He encouraged former WAI Brigade members to await these new directives to reapply as volunteers for the new organisation.
Issa-Onilu also confirmed that the legislative process to amend the NOA Establishment Act (Cap 64, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004) is currently underway.
This amendment is intended to reflect the objectives of the broader Nigeria Identity Project.
The formation of the Citizen Values Brigade is one of several institutional reforms being carried out by the NOA to enhance its operations and promote the core principles outlined in the National Values Charter under the Nigerian Identity Project.
Once fully operational, the new brigade will initially comprise 37,000 members drawn from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
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The brigade’s activities will extend into primary and secondary schools.
The primary mandate of the Citizen Values Brigade will be to spearhead the persuasive effort in driving attitudinal and behavioural change at the grassroots level, which is a key responsibility defined in the NOA’s establishment law.