The Nigerian government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening mutual understanding and collaboration between the Armed Forces and the civilian population, as part of ongoing efforts to promote national security and unity.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, stated this at the Opening Ceremony of the Civil-Military Relations Conference organised by the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, described the conference as a “significant milestone” in Nigeria’s journey towards a more inclusive and participatory security framework.
“The reality we face today is uncomfortable but undeniable. A trust deficit exists between the military and many segments of the Nigerian population. This perception, based on history, misinformation, or isolated incidents, threatens our national unity and stability. It is time for Nigerians to see the military not as an occupying force, but as an integral part of our national family, a force for good, for protection, and for progress,” Nnam said.
He stressed that building trust requires deliberate efforts to reshape the public narrative around the Armed Forces by telling stories of sacrifice, community service, and the lives saved.
He also called on the media to play a strategic role in countering misinformation and fostering responsible reporting.
According to the Minister, the Ministry of Information and National Orientation stands ready to partner with the Defence Headquarters, civil society, and the media to implement the outcomes of the conference.
“We must build stronger bridges of interaction through town halls engagements, joint projects, civic education, and institutional frameworks that bring the military closer to the heartbeat of the nation,” Nnam said.
The Minister further expressed confidence that the deliberations would pave the way for a stronger, more united, and more secure Nigeria.
The conference, themed “Winning Hearts and Minds: Non-Kinetic Approaches to National Security”, focused on bridging the growing gap between the military and the civil populace through dialogue, community engagement, civic education, media sensitisation, and humanitarian cooperation.