The ongoing challenge of Nigeria and insecurity continues to demand innovative, people-centred solutions. In a recent development, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has reported a breakthrough in citizen engagement and public trust—reaching an estimated 32 million Nigerians within just three months through its intensified communication campaign.
The Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, stated this at the October 2025 Joint Security Press Briefing, JSPB, hosted at NOA headquarters in Abuja alongside the country’s security, defence and intelligence agencies.
Mallam Issa-Onilu emphasised the critical role of citizens in the fight against insecurity, declaring:
Building Trust to Tackle Nigeria and Insecurity
“Trust is Nigeria’s strongest security asset. When citizens are informed and confident, criminals have no hiding place.”
Between August and October 2025, NOA activated the Joint Security Communication Framework across 36 states and the FCT. Over 50 radio and TV outlets broadcast public-safety messaging to an estimated 29 million Nigerians, while digital outreach through Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and CLHEEAN AI engaged an additional three million. Fact-checking interventions increased by 40% compared to September, while community engagement networks expanded from 1,050 to 1,460 grassroots clusters.
Issa-Onilu also noted, “Misinformation does not just mislead people, it endangers lives. That is why we are deliberately pushing verified information and strengthening public vigilance.”
Overcoming insecurities in Nigeria
The improved national trust aligns with key security outcomes presented at the briefing yielded great results. Major suspect arrests increased from 42 to 56 between September and October — a 33% rise driven by better intelligence coordination. The rescue of abducted victims grew from 19 to 27, while fatalities in violent crimes dropped from 210 to 185 — a 12% reduction.
Security agencies recorded seven cross-border interventions, up from four, and seized multiple arms caches in the North-West and South-East.
On accountability, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, recovered ₦840 million and $919,000 in October, concluded 15 investigations and filed five new cases.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, confirmed recoveries of ₦230 billion in 2023, ₦290 billion in 2024, and ₦46 billion so far in 2025 totalling ₦566.3 billion and $411.6 million, plus 1,502 forfeited properties in two years.
At least ₦100 billion of recovered funds has been reinvested into the Students Loan Scheme and Consumer Credit Scheme.
Meanwhile, agencies including NAFDAC, NDLEA, NIS, FRSC and NCoS highlighted gains ranging from dismantling 14 drug syndicates to rescuing 76 human-trafficking victims, reducing fatal road crashes by up to 12%, and enhancing prison rehabilitation programmes. Overall, enforcement actions increased by 28% and convictions rose by 19% from 210 to 251.
Issa-Onilu stressed that these gains reflect the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying, “We are delivering a whole-of-government approach where security, transparency and communication reinforce each other. The results are visible, the trend is positive, and the future of Nigeria and insecurity is hopeful.”
The Human Element in Solving Nigeria and Insecurity
The link between Nigeria and insecurity goes beyond data or technology—it’s rooted in human trust. When people believe in their institutions and are confident that their voices matter, national resilience grows stronger. The NOA’s renewed focus on transparency, collaboration, and communication is proving that trust can be one of Nigeria’s greatest defenses.
He urged Nigerians to continue working with the government, noting that community intelligence remains one of the strongest tools against criminal networks.
“Security is everybody’s business. When citizens speak up, criminals are shut down,” the DG stated.
Issa-Onilu concluded with a national call, “Through courage, communication and collective responsibility, we are building a safer Nigeria. Together, we build trust. Together we build peace. Together we build our nation.”
