Evaluation of the National Orientation Agency’s Public Enlightenment Campaigns on Civic Responsibility in Ondo State, South West Nigeria

This study evaluates the effectiveness of public enlightenment campaigns conducted by the National Orientation Agency in promoting civic responsibility among residents of Ondo State, South West Nigeria. The National Orientation Agency is mandated to inculcate positive civic values, national unity, and responsible citizenship, yet its campaigns are often criticised for limited reach, poor messaging, and insufficient engagement with diverse community groups. Drawing on social learning theory and recent civic education literature from 2020 to 2024, the study employs a descriptive survey design. A sample of 225 respondents including Ondo State residents, National Orientation Agency field officers, community leaders, and secondary school students is selected through stratified sampling across three senatorial districts. Structured questionnaires and focus group discussions are the primary data instruments, and findings are analysed through descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic techniques. The study expects to reveal that National Orientation Agency campaigns in Ondo State generate moderate awareness but do not produce durable attitudinal or behavioural change in areas such as tax compliance, environmental sanitation, electoral participation, and government resource protection. Poor use of social media and local languages in campaign messaging is identified as a key gap. Recommendations will target digital-first civic education strategies, community mobilisation partnerships, and outcome monitoring frameworks for National Orientation Agency enlightenment campaigns. Keywords: civic responsibility, public enlightenment, National Orientation Agency, Ondo State, civic education