The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) are exploring areas to strengthen collaboration to enhance legal research, policy formulation, and national value reorientation.

During a courtesy visit to NOA, the Director General of the institute, Professor Abdulqadri Abikan, commended NOA’s role in conflict resolution and public engagement. He recalled an instance in Ilorin’s Islamic Community, where NOA legal officers played a vital role in resolving a potential crisis.

Professor. Abikan emphasized the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and continuous legal training, noting that NIALS partners with government agencies, UNODC, UNDP, and other international organizations for capacity building. He also cited the Nigerian Army’s engagement with NIALS for legal training following international human rights concerns, stressing the need for proactive collaboration.

He urged all government institutions established by law to work closely with NIALS to assess their legal effectiveness. He also highlighted the value of independent research-backed evaluations, which can enhance credibility and identify areas for improvement.

In response, NOA Director General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to nation-building through value reorientation, inter-agency collaboration, and public enlightenment. He expressed optimism that the partnership with NIALS will further strengthen legal awareness, policy research, and national identity programs.

Mallam Issa-Onilu also urged NIALS staff to leverage NOA’s AI tool, CLHEEAN to enhance their legal research and public engagement efforts. He emphasized NOA’s extensive media reach, highlighting the agency’s collaboration with 198 radio stations nationwide, as well as its engagement with 10 major social media influencers and an additional 154 social media influencers to drive national discourse and public awareness.