Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called for stronger collaboration between the media and security agencies, saying both institutions play critical and complementary roles in safeguarding Nigeria’s national interest and promoting development.
The Minister made the call at the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists in collaboration with the Department of State Services in Abuja.
Speaking as chairman of the occasion, Idris said an effective partnership between journalists and security agencies had become imperative in addressing the country’s evolving security challenges.
“The relationship between the media and security agencies must be founded on mutual respect, professionalism, trust, and an appreciation of their complementary roles,” Idris said.
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According to him, while security agencies are responsible for protecting lives, property and national sovereignty, the media serves as the watchdog of society and the bridge between government and citizens.
“Both institutions share a common objective: safeguarding the national interest and promoting peace, unity and development,” Idris stated.
The Minister noted that Nigeria, like many countries around the world, faces increasingly complex security threats ranging from terrorism and violent extremism to cybercrime, organised crime, misinformation and other transnational challenges.
He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had continued to prioritise security through a combination of military operations, intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation, technological innovation and community engagement.
“Our security forces have continued to neutralise and apprehend terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and criminal elements threatening the peace of our communities.”
He noted that significant investments in military hardware, surveillance technologies and intelligence infrastructure were enhancing the capacity of security agencies to respond effectively to emerging threats.
The Minister, however, stressed the need for responsible journalism in an era dominated by fake news and disinformation.
“National security is not served when misinformation is amplified without verification. Neither is it served when legitimate public concerns are ignored. The challenge before us is to strike the right balance between the public’s right to know and the imperative of protecting national security.”
Earlier, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Alhassan Yahaya, said the summit was convened to strengthen engagement between journalists and key national institutions in the interest of national development.
“The theme of this summit reflects a shared understanding that national security is not the responsibility of security agencies alone. It is a collective undertaking that requires the active participation of government institutions, the media, civil society and citizens working together in the national interest,” Yahaya said.
He noted that the gathering represented the fulfilment of one of the commitments he made upon assuming office as NUJ President in 2024.
“I firmly believed then, as I do now, that meaningful dialogue and collaboration between the media and security agencies are essential for deepening democracy, promoting national unity and advancing the public interest.”
Yahaya also commended the DSS for fostering constructive engagement with journalists, revealing that there had been no record of harassment or intimidation of journalists by the service in the last one and a half years.
Also speaking, the President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Ike Neliaku, described the summit as timely, noting that democracy, security and the media are interconnected pillars of national development.
“For democracy to work, the media is very critical. For democracy to work, security is very critical. Democracy is strengthened by security and media,” Neliaku said.
He stressed the importance of dialogue in democratic governance, arguing that citizens must be continuously engaged through effective communication.
Representing the Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Sonny Echono, the Head of Public Relations and Protocol Division, Erasmus Alaneme, said the media’s role in shaping public perception of security issues could not be overemphasised.
He disclosed that TETFund had recently approved ₦7.5 billion in research grants for 174 projects, with substantial funding allocated to security, conflict resolution, defence technology and peacebuilding studies.
Similarly, the President of the International Press Institute, Mukhtariyu Myoot, urged security agencies and journalists to view national security and press freedom as complementary rather than conflicting objectives.
According to him, many of the conflicts between journalists and security agencies stem from mistrust and inadequate communication, stressing the need for dialogue and institutional mechanisms for resolving disputes.
The summit brought together journalists, security officials, policymakers, academics and communication experts to discuss strategies for strengthening cooperation between the media and security agencies in tackling Nigeria’s security challenges and advancing national development.
