The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced its plans to ban foreign cartoons on television channels, replacing them with local content that promotes national values. This decision is aimed at curbing the growing influence of foreign cultures on Nigerian children, which the government believes is affecting the country’s identity and moral fabric.
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Onilu, made this revelation in Bauchi during the launch of a campaign to promote the National Anthem and the National Value Charter. Speaking on behalf of Onilu, the National Director of PRS at NOA, Nura Yusuf Kobi, raised concerns over the dominance of foreign cartoons on Nigerian television channels, particularly on platforms like GOtv and StarTimes.
According to Onilu, the exposure to foreign cartoons has led to an increasing adoption of foreign behaviors and attitudes among Nigerian children. He expressed worry that this trend is negatively impacting Nigeria’s cultural heritage and moral standards.
“We are worried that Nigeria is giving birth to children with foreign behaviors,” Onilu said. “We have noticed that our kids learn many foreign attitudes through cartoons from other countries. We are going to replace them with local cartoons that will promote our character and culture so that those currently shown on GOtv, StarTimes, and the rest will be substituted.”
Foreign cartoons, particularly those from Western countries, have become a staple in many Nigerian homes. Popular channels like Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and Disney Channel often dominate children’s television programming, offering shows filled with characters, themes, and values that are not always in line with Nigerian culture.
This heavy consumption of foreign media has led to a growing concern among parents and authorities about the potential long-term effects on Nigerian children. Some experts believe that children who spend too much time watching foreign cartoons may start to imitate the language, behaviors, and even values they see on screen, which may conflict with traditional Nigerian values.
As a result, the Federal Government is stepping in to ensure that Nigerian children are exposed to content that reflects the country’s culture, heritage, and moral values.
The government’s strategy is clear: replace foreign cartoons with locally produced content that will teach children about Nigeria’s rich history, traditions, and values. This initiative is part of a broader campaign to redefine Nigeria’s national identity, which, according to Onilu, has been badly damaged over the years.
“Nigeria’s image has been badly portrayed abroad as a country of kidnappers, bandits, terrorists, fraudsters, and so on,” Onilu said. “We want to redefine our identity because, at the moment, nobody can clearly define Nigeria’s identity.”
He highlighted that in the past, Nigeria had a well-defined identity under the leadership of figures like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. These leaders, Onilu noted, helped shape a Nigeria that was proud of its heritage, culture, and values.
“It is unfortunate that Nigerians now celebrate when someone returns items or money at airports to their rightful owners, as if the person has done something extraordinary,” he lamented. “In normal circumstances, every Nigerian should be honest, but due to recent events, many of us have lost our moral compass.”
The new local cartoons, which will soon replace foreign content, are expected to play a crucial role in restoring this lost moral compass. Through these shows, children will learn about honesty, integrity, and the importance of embracing their Nigerian identity.
The replacement of foreign cartoons with Nigerian content is part of the National Orientation Agency’s broader effort to reorient Nigerians toward a stronger sense of national pride. The campaign to promote the National Anthem and the National Value Charter, which was launched in Bauchi, is one of the key initiatives in this reorientation process.
The NOA has made it clear that it wants to change the negative narrative about Nigeria, both at home and abroad. The agency is also working to discourage Nigerians from concealing their identity while living or working abroad, encouraging them to proudly represent their country.
The NOA’s Bauchi State Coordinator, Mrs. Theresa Omaga, echoed these sentiments, stating that the campaign would be extended across all 20 local government areas of the state. She also emphasized that the campaign would run simultaneously at both state and local levels, ensuring that the message reaches every part of the country.
