The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) have pledged to strengthen collaboration aimed at addressing declining public trust, voter apathy and misinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commitment was made on Wednesday during a meeting between INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, and NOA Director-General, Mallam Issa Onilu, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Amupitan said the engagement was a strategic meeting between two institutions with a shared responsibility of promoting democratic values and educating citizens on the importance of participation in the electoral process.
He stressed that while technology and improved election administration are important, they cannot guarantee a strong democracy without an informed and engaged electorate.
According to him, restoring citizens’ confidence requires more than digital systems, noting that civic education remains critical to rebuilding trust in elections.
The INEC chairman described voter apathy as a major threat to democracy, warning that declining confidence in the electoral system could discourage citizens from exercising their voting rights.
He also raised concerns over the impact of misinformation and fake news, recalling instances during the last FCT election where false claims circulated online to discourage voters from participating.
Amupitan called for a grassroots voter education campaign that would reach communities, markets and rural areas in languages citizens understand, explaining the value of their votes and the safeguards protecting the electoral process.
He likened the roles of both agencies to a football match, with INEC providing the platform for elections while NOA helps prepare citizens to effectively participate in the democratic process.
Responding, the NOA Director-General, Mallam Issa Onilu, said the agency’s nationwide structure would support the partnership, highlighting its presence across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and local government areas.
Onilu said the agency’s mandate of communicating government policies and gathering citizens’ feedback places it in a strong position to drive continuous civic education beyond election periods.
He noted that the last election exposed gaps in political knowledge, particularly among younger voters, stressing the need for sustained education on democratic responsibilities.
According to him, trust and patriotism cannot be forced but must be built through consistent engagement and government responsiveness to citizens’ needs.
Both institutions agreed to develop a joint grassroots civic education programme focused on voter awareness, tackling misinformation, correcting misconceptions about electoral processes and strengthening confidence in the ballot ahead of the 2027 polls.
INEC said the partnership would help ensure that investments in electoral reforms and technology lead to improved voter participation and increased public trust in the democratic process.