The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has officially dissolved its volunteer arm, the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) Brigade, following approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to establish a new body the Citizen Values Brigade.
Announcing the development, NOA Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the move aligns with the FEC’s resolution of September 2024 and the proposed amendment to the Agency’s Establishment Act.
In a statement issued by the Director of Communication and Media, Bala Musa, the DG explained that the change reflects the democratic ideals of the current administration. He noted that the “WAI Brigade” nomenclature, rooted in military-era practices, is no longer suitable in a democratic context.
“A democratic government should not be seen as waging war against its citizens over indiscipline,” Issa-Onilu stated. “While such measures may have been acceptable under military rule, the use of force or coercion to enforce discipline is inconsistent with democratic principles.”
The NOA has pledged to release new guidelines for the structure, enlistment, and operations of the Citizen Values Brigade. Issa-Onilu urged former WAI Brigade members to await the new framework and reapply under the revised scheme.
He also revealed that the legislative process to amend the NOA Establishment Act No. 100 of 1993 (now Cap 64, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004) is underway to incorporate the objectives of the Nigeria Identity Project.
According to the DG, the Citizen Values Brigade is part of a broader institutional reform initiative by the Agency to promote the ideals outlined in the National Values Charter.
Once operational, the new brigade will be deployed in primary and secondary schools, starting with 37,000 volunteers drawn from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The brigade will take on a persuasive, community-focused role in promoting positive behavioural change at the grassroots level one of the agency’s core mandates.