NOA DG Warns Nigerians against Foreign Propaganda on Insecurity and Religion
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, has cautioned Nigerians against believing or spreading foreign propaganda that portrays the country as unsafe or divided along religious lines. He said such misleading claims are dangerous and could push Nigeria into crises similar to what befell Iraq and Libya, where external interference and propaganda destroyed once-stable nations. Issa-Onilu stressed that Nigerians must be more discerning and patriotic when consuming foreign reports about their country, warning that careless sharing of false narratives could have grave consequences.
Speaking on Wednesday during the 2025 Press Week organised by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja, Issa-Onilu expressed deep concern about how quickly some Nigerians accept and promote negative stories about their country without verifying their authenticity. He noted that such behaviour only fuels division, damages the country’s reputation, and strengthens the hands of those who wish to see Nigeria fail.
The NOA boss pointed to the cases of Iraq and Libya as examples of how propaganda can destroy nations. “Anybody spreading such stories should think again,” he warned. “They should read what happened to Libya and Iraq. People talked about weapons of mass destruction, but it turned out to be false. Today, look at where those countries are.” Issa-Onilu added that global powers often use misinformation to justify harmful actions, and citizens must not allow Nigeria to be drawn into such traps.
He further advised journalists to exercise restraint and responsibility in their reporting, reminding them that information warfare has become one of the most potent tools for undermining national sovereignty. According to him, the media must act as a stabilising force rather than a channel for chaos. “We must not allow external narratives to define who we are or what we stand for,” he said. “As Nigerians, it is our duty to protect the image of our country and promote peace through the stories we tell.”
Earlier, the Chairperson of the NUJ Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Grace Ike, also emphasised the powerful role of the media in shaping national identity and fostering unity. She explained that journalists have a moral duty to ensure that the information they share contributes to peace, tolerance, and progress. Ike noted that in a world where news spreads instantly, responsible journalism has become more critical than ever in building trust and promoting social cohesion.
“The media holds a powerful position in our society,” Ike said. “It not only informs and educates but also shapes the values that bind our nation together. Through ethical reporting and balanced narratives, journalists can help strengthen the national fabric and uphold transparency and accountability.” She encouraged journalists to be gatekeepers of truth and to always prioritise accuracy over sensationalism.
The warning from the NOA boss comes in the wake of renewed claims by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who recently alleged during a podcast with television host Bill Maher that Christians in Nigeria were being “systematically targeted and killed,” describing the situation as genocide. Maher and political commentator Van Jones echoed the claims, accusing the Nigerian government of complicity in the alleged killings.
However, the Nigerian government swiftly dismissed the allegations, insisting that insecurity in the country has nothing to do with religion but is instead caused by terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminality. Two weeks ago, the Senate also described the genocide claims as false, divisive, and capable of undermining national unity. The government urged foreign commentators to be cautious in their statements and to seek the truth before making sweeping allegations that could harm Nigeria’s international image.