In a bid to promote national values and preserve cultural heritage, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to replace foreign cartoons with locally produced content. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the initiative, which aims to reshape the nation’s identity by promoting Nigerian values through children’s programming. Lanre Onilu, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), made this decision public during the launching of a campaign in Bauchi to promote the National Anthem and the National Value Charter.

Onilu expressed concerns about the influence of foreign media on Nigerian children, particularly the behaviours and attitudes they pick up from foreign cartoons. “We are worried that Nigeria is giving birth to children with foreign behaviours,” he stated. He emphasized that the exposure to foreign content on television networks such as GOtv and StarTimes is leading to a cultural shift that does not reflect Nigeria’s rich traditions. To counter this, the government is set to introduce local cartoons that will instill Nigerian values and promote cultural pride.

The initiative is part of a larger campaign by the NOA to address the country's image problem, both locally and internationally. Onilu stressed that Nigeria’s global reputation has suffered due to negative associations with crimes like fraud, kidnapping, and terrorism. He called for a return to the era of national pride seen under leaders like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, urging citizens to embrace a positive national identity.

This campaign will not only focus on promoting Nigerian culture but will also stimulate the local creative industry, providing opportunities for animators and content creators. The NOA plans to extend the program nationwide, with the hope that local cartoons will appeal to younger audiences while instilling a sense of patriotism.

Public reactions to the initiative have been varied. Supporters argue that this is a necessary step toward preserving Nigeria’s cultural identity and fostering pride in the nation’s values among the younger generation. Critics, however, are skeptical about whether local content can compete with the production quality and popularity of foreign cartoons, and whether it will effectively capture the attention of children already accustomed to international programs.

Despite these concerns, the Federal Government remains optimistic that this cultural shift will reinforce Nigerian values and contribute to a more positive image of the country on the global stage.