The Federal Government has unveiled a nationwide citizenship and values reorientation campaign aimed at transforming patriotism from sentiment into concrete everyday action. The initiative, titled “My Nigeria, My Responsibility,” was officially launched on Monday at the State House, Abuja, by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The campaign, driven by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, seeks to revive a culture of responsible citizenship and reinforce the idea that national progress is a collective duty shared by all Nigerians.
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Speaking at the launch, Idris described patriotism as “an active verb,” emphasizing that it must be expressed through personal values, civic duty, tax compliance, truthfulness, and a commitment to national development.
“True patriotism is the daily choice to be responsible for our nation’s story, its progress, and its image,” he said. “Nigeria’s destiny does not rest in the hands of a few, but in the actions of 200 million citizens.”
The Minister highlighted President Tinubu’s longstanding advocacy for democracy, saying the President’s political journey embodies the responsible citizenship the initiative aims to inspire nationwide.
Idris further linked the administration’s key reforms—including fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange reforms, tax justice programmes, and digitalized revenue mobilization to shared civic responsibility. He noted that despite the pain associated with these reforms, the policies have more than doubled monthly FAAC allocations to states and local governments, giving subnational governments more resources to improve education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
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“The pain is real, but it is the pain of healing, not decay,” he said.
The Minister underscored tax compliance as a central civic duty, stating: “Patriotism is in the taxes you pay. When you pay your fair share, you are directly investing in the school your child attends, the road your business uses, and the security that guards your home.”
As part of efforts to strengthen public education and media literacy, Idris announced that the National Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute will be inaugurated in February 2026. The institute will equip Nigerians with tools to verify information, combat misinformation, and engage ethically in the digital space.
“We must not weaponize falsehood. In this digital age, truthful communication is a patriotic duty,” he added.
The Minister urged citizens to uphold the values outlined in the newly adopted Citizens’ Charter of National Values, which promotes integrity, patriotism, diligence, tolerance, and excellence.
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He called on Nigerians to embrace the campaign as a national pact for responsible nation-building.
“The President is providing the canvas of stability and vision; the rest of us must pick up the brush. Let us paint together the masterpiece of a new Nigeria, through our values, our taxes, our stories, and our actions.”