The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, has emphasised the urgent need for Nigeria to leverage emerging technologies to transform crisis communication, safeguard public safety, and strengthen national security.
Speaking at the National Symposium on Digital Innovations in Crisis Communication held in Abuja, Idris—represented by the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace—warned that while technology offers vast opportunities for improving communication during emergencies, it also presents new risks that must be addressed.
The symposium, organised by the Centre for Crisis Communication, brought together communication strategists, defence correspondents, security agency spokespersons, ICT regulators, and other key stakeholders.
Idris said the rapid evolution of digital platforms has enabled the spread of propaganda, disinformation, and harmful narratives that often escalate during national crises, posing a major threat to peace and stability.
“As digital platforms evolve, so does the speed and sophistication of misinformation. The narratives constructed—internally or externally—shape national perception and influence the country’s image globally,” he said.
He commended the Centre for Crisis Communication for hosting the session at the National Defence College, describing it as strategic and timely in an era where information travels faster than verification.
The minister stressed that media institutions must adopt technological tools to strengthen early warning systems, enhance interagency coordination, and ensure accurate dissemination of life-saving information.
He urged journalists and crisis communicators to uphold national interest in emergencies and report sensitively, especially when covering the deaths of military personnel.
“Every fallen combatant is not a statistic—they are someone’s child, spouse, or parent,” he noted.
Idris assured that recommendations from the symposium would feed into policy reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s crisis communication architecture.
Speaking in his capacity as Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Ndace reaffirmed institutional support for the Centre for Crisis Communication and the government’s commitment to responsible, stabilising national narratives.
Strategic National Security Asset
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Centre for Crisis Communication, retired Major General Chris Olukolade, declared that crisis communication has evolved into a strategic national security asset, noting that modern emergencies demand swift, accurate, and technologically enabled responses.
He said crises are now more frequent and complex, driven by factors such as climate change, public health threats, cyberattacks, industrial accidents, and social tensions amplified by digital platforms.
“Communication tools of yesterday can no longer address the emergencies of today,” Olukolade said.
He highlighted the role of emerging technologies—artificial intelligence, mobile alert systems, big data analytics, and real-time monitoring—in detecting early warning signs, countering misinformation, and enhancing coordination among institutions.
Olukolade warned that inconsistent messaging, fragmented information flow, and public distrust weaken national resilience during emergencies.
He called for innovation, stronger collaboration, and a shift from traditional communication methods to modern, technology-driven crisis management systems.
The symposium, themed “Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Transform Crisis Communication”, convened security agencies, media organisations, policymakers, ICT regulators, and development partners.
Olukolade reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to supporting security agencies and government institutions by promoting a unified national voice and providing accurate information during crises.
He urged participants to engage deeply and contribute actionable ideas that will shape Nigeria’s future crisis communication strategy.
“The future of crisis communication depends on our willingness to innovate, collaborate, and embrace technology-driven solutions,” he said.