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 on Thursday in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Army Staff, 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 Folusho Oyinlola, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), 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 pen and the sword—the media and the Army—is crucial.
Shaibu urged journalists to maintain objectivity, credibility, and responsible reporting while balancing national security with the public’s right to information.
(Business Day)
