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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has raised the alarm of how fake news, propaganda and selfish interests of some Nigerians have become some of the major security challenges bedeviling the country.
He has therefore call for a stronger military-media partnerships to counter fake news, hostile narratives and other forms of misinformation capable of destabilizing the security of the country.
The COAS, made the call at the opening of the 2026 Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) Combined First and Second Quarters Media Workshop holding in Abuja.
Represented by the Chief of Civil Military Affairs (Army), Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, at the workshop, Gen. Shaibu, while calling for stronger collaboration between the military and the media, noted that modern adversaries increasingly relied on misinformation and psychological operations to undermine public confidence.
The COAS, who said effective media engagement had become a force multiplier in joint and multi-agency security operations, said it must be recognised that today’s adversaries rely heavily on propaganda and information manipulation.
He also said that public support remained a strategic necessity for operational success, adding that effective communication helped in strengthening cooperation between security agencies and citizens.
“When left unchecked, disinformation can be as damaging as a direct security threat.”
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The COAS, who described the theme of the workshop, “Media Integration as a Force Multiplier for Joint and Multi-Agency Operational Success”, as timely and strategic in view of contemporary security challenges, noted that the media had gone beyond its traditional role of informing the public to becoming a critical instrument for shaping perceptions, projecting credible narratives and countering adversarial propaganda.
The army Chief, who expressed the hope that the workshop would provide a platform for exchanging ideas, adopting best practices in conflict-sensitive reporting and developing strategies to counter misinformation and psychological warfare, reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with its constitutional mandate.
He said his command philosophy was focused on transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of operating effectively within a joint and multi-agency environment.
He said that the army had continued to record significant operational successes across various theatres through enhanced synergy, intelligence sharing and coordinated planning among security agencies.
According to him, such operational gains must be complemented by effective strategic communication to project accurate information, counter false narratives and reinforce public confidence in the nation’s security institutions.
A well-informed citizenry rallies behind national security efforts, boosting troop morale and strengthening national resilience.
He called on media practitioners to also highlight the sacrifices, gallantry and professionalism of troops who continue to operate under difficult conditions in defence of the country just as he commended the Directorate of Army Public Relations for organising the workshop and charged participants to actively engage in discussions aimed at strengthening media operations in support of national security objectives.
Shaibu also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his continued support and strategic guidance to the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces.
