Federal Government has Inaugurated a nationwide citizenship campaign designed to transform patriotism from mere emotion into everyday action, responsibility, and nation-building.
The initiative, titled “My Nigeria, My Responsibility,” was officially flagged off at the State House, Abuja, by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the event.
The campaign, spearheaded by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, aims to rekindle a culture of responsible citizenship, emphasizing that every Nigerian has a direct role in shaping the nation’s prosperity, global image, and democratic journey.
Speaking on behalf of the President, the Minister described patriotism as “an active verb”, a collective duty expressed through personal values, tax compliance, truthfulness in public discourse, and a shared commitment to national progress.
“True patriotism is the daily choice to be responsible for our nation’s story, its progress, and its image,” he said, adding, “Nigeria’s destiny does not rest in the hands of a few, but in the actions of 200 million citizens.”
The Minister also highlighted President Tinubu’s decades-long defence of democracy, noting that the President’s political journey reflects the very essence of responsible citizenship the campaign seeks to inspire nationwide.
He outlined the administration’s major policy reforms, such as the removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange reform, tax justice initiatives, and digitalized revenue mobilization, and linked them directly to citizen responsibility and shared prosperity.
“The pain is real, but it is the pain of healing, not decay,” he said, explaining how reforms have more than doubled monthly FAAC allocations to states and local governments, providing resources to address public needs such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
He described tax compliance as a civic duty that directly funds national development: “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.”
Alhaji Idris further announced that, in February 2026, the Ministry will inaugurate the National Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute, a landmark public education platform that will equip citizens with tools to verify information, resist misinformation, and engage ethically online.
“We must not weaponize falsehood. In this digital age, truthful communication is a patriotic duty,” the Minister stressed.
He urged citizens to embody the values enshrined in the newly adopted Citizens’ Charter of National Values: integrity, patriotism, diligence, tolerance, and excellence.
The Minister concluded with a call for every Nigerian to embrace the campaign as a national covenant 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. My Nigeria, My Responsibility.”
RN
