The Nigerian Army has called for stronger collaboration with media stakeholders to enhance national security through strategic communication.
The appeal was made during the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat for the fourth quarter of 2025, held in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu, in his keynote address, highlighted the growing influence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in shaping public interaction and security perceptions.
He noted that while ICT presents significant opportunities, it also introduces risks, including the rapid spread of fake news, disinformation and propaganda.
Represented by Major General Folusho Oyinlola, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), Major General Shaibu emphasised that malicious acts, including the unauthorised disclosure of classified information and narrative manipulation by dissidents, pose serious threats to national security. These challenges, he said, necessitate close collaboration between the Army and the media.
The Army Chief outlined the event’s theme, “The Nigerian Security Environment: Role of Strategic Communication in Strengthening Civil-Military Relations” as a call to prioritise information management and forge a common narrative for a safe and secure environment.
“It is common knowledge that advancement in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has transformed the media space into a key driver of human interaction at various levels, bringing with it, significant security implications. While ICT has its opportunities, the drawbacks are quite profound. These among others include the rapid spread of fake news, while digital platforms can easily be used to amplify disinformation, misinformation and propaganda.This has necessitated collaboration between the Nigeria Army and media stakeholders to foster a formidable front against our shared security challenges.
“The theme for this event which is ‘The Nigerian Security Environment: Role of Strategic Communication in Strengthening Civi-Military Relations’, aptly underscores the essential role of information management in national security. The theme, thus, reinforces the pivotal role of the media in forging a common narrative towards ensuring a safe and secure environment,” he stated.
He stressed that in today’s security landscape, cooperation between the media and the Army is crucial and urged journalists to maintain objectivity, credibility, and responsible reporting while balancing national security with the public’s right to information.
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Building Mutual Understanding
The Chief of Civil-Military Affairs of the Nigerian Army, Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi in his welcome address highlighted the Media Chat as a platform to build capacity and mutual understanding between the Army and the media.
Etsu-Ndagi urged media stakeholders to uphold ethical reporting standards and mitigate sensationalism, misinformation, and disinformation. He emphasised that accurate, fair, and balanced reporting is vital in shaping public understanding and appreciation of security policies and initiatives.
The key note speaker Brig. General Sani Usman (rtd) expressed gratitude to troops, journalists, and citizens for their support, reaffirming that collaboration between the Army and the media is essential in creating a safer, informed, and united Nigeria.
In his Presentation on the topic ‘Emerging technologies and its impact on the Media: Military collaboration in focus’ the retired General said the Nigerian Army should establish a Joint Technology-Driven Media–Military Communication Centre to coordinate digital engagement, monitor misinformation trends, and enhance the credibility of official security communications.
“The Media should strengthen their capacity for verification and conflict-sensitive reporting through continuous professional training on emerging technologies, artificial intelligence tools, and ethical standards.
“The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation should develop a national framework for countering information disorder, integrating government, media, and civil society efforts to address disinformation, deepfakes, and online manipulation.Civil society and academic institutions should collaborate with the military and media to promote media literacy, research on information security, and community-based digital awareness programmes that build public trust and resilience.”
Brig.General Sani also called for effective collaboration between the military and media, grounded in strategic communication, technological competence, and mutual trust as it is essential for building public confidence and safeguarding national cohesion.
The Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Plateau State NUJ, Polycap Auta called on the military to adopt new strategies in combating insurgency and assured that journalists will remain steadfast in supporting the Nigerian Army towards National Unity.
The panel of discussants at the event all concurred that the military and the media are essentially pursuing the same goals but from different angles and must consistently seek common ground, placing national interest above all else in carrying out their responsibilities.