Experts have identified the media, local intelligence and public trust as key drivers of effective national security operations in Nigeria.
Professor Okey Ikechukwu of the Development Specs Academy stated this at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) National Security Summit themed “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building.
Ikechukwu said modern security outcomes depend not only on operational strength but also on how well institutions communicate with citizens and secure public understanding.
The summit brought together journalists, security officials and policy experts to examine the growing link between information, intelligence and national stability in an evolving security environment.
Ikechukwu, who delivered a paper titled: “The Media as Impact Multiplier in Military Operations and National Development,” said the media expands the reach and effectiveness of governance and security operations by shaping how citizens interpret state actions.
He said national programmes and security operations risk losing strategic value when citizens are not adequately informed, stressing that communication has become central to public acceptance and institutional legitimacy.
The Professor noted that contemporary security challenges increasingly involve competing narratives, where armed groups attempt to influence public perception alongside physical operations.
He warned that gaps in official communication often create space for misinformation that can weaken trust in security institutions.
Ikechukwu also expanded the concept of media to include traditional rulers, religious leaders, community structures and local influencers, describing them as essential channels for intelligence and public engagement at the grassroots level.
He said effective security operations often depend on community cooperation and local knowledge, making citizens active participants in the security process rather than passive observers.
The summit also addressed the link between drug abuse and insecurity, with Assistant Commander General of Narcotics Shehu Dankolo, representing NDLEA Chairman Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), describing substance abuse as a growing factor in criminal behaviour and social instability.
He called for stronger collaboration between government institutions, communities and the media in prevention, awareness and rehabilitation efforts.
The discussions reflected a broader shift in national security thinking, where information management, public confidence and social resilience are increasingly viewed as integral to security strategy.
Participants agreed that sustainable security requires not only operational enforcement but also consistent communication that builds trust and strengthens public cooperation.
