Agency recognised for advancing civic education, national values, citizen engagement and strategic public communication.
By Chinonso Okoye |Lagos
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has received the Public Information Campaign of the Year Award at the 2026 Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Special Recognition Awards, in recognition of its efforts in public enlightenment, civic education and strategic communication.
The award was presented on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Balmoral Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, during a ceremony attended by public and private sector representatives, advertising professionals, corporate executives and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s advertising and marketing communications industry.
The Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, was represented at the event by the agency’s Director of Communication and Media, Bala Musa, who received the award on his behalf.
The recognition highlights NOA’s role in raising public awareness, communicating government policies and programmes, promoting civic responsibility and strengthening engagement between the government and citizens.
Reacting to the honour, Issa-Onilu described the award as an endorsement of the agency’s renewed commitment to innovative public communication, national value reorientation and citizen participation.
He stressed that effective public information campaigns were essential to national development, noting that clear and accessible communication could strengthen public trust, encourage responsible citizenship and bridge the information gap between government and the people.
The Director-General reaffirmed the agency’s determination to deepen public understanding of government policies, promote the National Values Charter, foster national unity and encourage positive behavioural change across the country.
He dedicated the award to NOA’s management and staff nationwide, particularly personnel operating at the grassroots, whose dedication and professionalism continue to drive the agency’s public engagement activities.
Issa-Onilu also commended ARCON for recognising the strategic importance of public sector communication, expressing optimism that the honour would inspire the agency to develop more innovative, inclusive and citizen-focused information campaigns.
According to him, NOA would continue to deploy its nationwide operational network, traditional and digital media platforms, and strategic partnerships to promote informed citizenship, national cohesion and sustainable behavioural change.
Other categories recognised at the ceremony included Excellence in Consumer Response Management, Excellence in Sponsorship Marketing, Brand Reinvention and Innovation, as well as outstanding performances in banking, aviation, telecommunications, education, healthcare, hospitality and e-commerce.
The award represents a milestone in NOA’s public orientation efforts and underscores the importance of strategic communication in promoting civic awareness, strengthening the relationship between government and citizens, and supporting national development.
