The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, has called for stronger influence operations anchored on credibility, truth and strategic communication, saying modern conflicts are increasingly won by shaping public perception as much as through military action.
Delivering the keynote address at the Defence Headquarters Psychological Operations Workshop 2026 in Abuja, themed “Building National Resilience: The Role of Influence Operations in Conflict Prevention and Stabilisation,” Ndace said contemporary security challenges require a blend of kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, with strategic communication playing a vital role in building public trust and preventing conflict.
He commended the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, for convening the workshop, describing it as a demonstration of strategic foresight in addressing the evolving nature of warfare.
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Ndace also praised the Armed Forces of Nigeria for integrating psychological and influence operations into military campaigns, noting that defeating insecurity requires not only battlefield victories but also winning the hearts and minds of the people.
According to him, today’s conflicts are increasingly driven by narratives, misinformation, propaganda and digital influence, making the information domain as important as the physical battlefield.
Drawing on the views of military strategists Sun Tzu and Carl von Clausewitz, he stressed that shaping public perception, sustaining confidence and strengthening the relationship between citizens, government and the military have become critical components of national security.
The VON Director-General observed that Nigeria continues to grapple with terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and communal conflicts, while hostile actors exploit digital platforms to spread disinformation, fuel fear and undermine confidence in public institutions.
“Effective influence operations help isolate criminal elements, counter extremist propaganda, promote national unity and encourage citizens to become active partners in safeguarding national security,” he said.
Ndace emphasised that credibility remains the foundation of every successful influence campaign, warning that propaganda alone cannot sustain public trust.
Quoting veteran broadcaster Edward R. Murrow, he said truthful, transparent and timely communication remains the most effective weapon against disinformation and misinformation.
He also acknowledged the Federal Government’s efforts to rebuild public trust through fact-based communication, aligning with the position of the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, that confidence in government messaging depends on honesty, transparency and consistency.
While commending the Armed Forces for improving strategic communications, Ndace identified artificial intelligence-generated disinformation, coordinated online influence campaigns and fake news as emerging threats requiring closer collaboration among the military, intelligence agencies, the media, civil society, academia, technology companies and citizens.
He endorsed the Chief of Defence Staff’s whole-of-society approach to national security, stressing that lasting peace cannot be achieved through military operations alone but through strong partnerships with communities, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders.
Reflecting on his experience as a conflict reporter, Ndace noted that every conflict has both a physical and an information battlefield.
“The contest for national security today is not only a contest of force but also a contest of ideas, narratives, legitimacy and trust. Nations that succeed will be those that consistently communicate the truth, command the confidence of their citizens and foster enduring partnerships in pursuit of peace and national unity,” the VON DG stressed.
He reaffirmed the Voice of Nigeria’s commitment to projecting Nigeria’s image globally, countering false narratives and promoting responsible journalism through its multilingual broadcasts across Africa and beyond.
Ndace urged participants to develop practical and innovative recommendations that would strengthen Nigeria’s influence operations architecture, prevent conflict, stabilise vulnerable communities and build lasting national resilience.
