The Voice of Nigeria (VON) is set to host the first-ever National Citizens’ Engagement Forum on Security, an innovative initiative aimed at strengthening collaboration and trust between the Nigerian public and the country’s security institutions.
The forum, which aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, will serve as a national platform for dialogue. It will bring together stakeholders from the security sector, civil society, academia, youth communities, the media, and traditional and religious institutions. The event aims to foster inclusive conversations on the pivotal role of citizens in promoting national security and peacebuilding.
Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, mnipr, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Voice of Nigeria, will deliver the Opening Remarks. The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, fnipr, will serve as the Chief Host and deliver the Opening Address. The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, mni, will chair the occasion, while the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, will attend as the Special Guest of Honour.
The high-level forum will feature two panel sessions. The first, titled “Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Citizens’ Trust in Security Institutions,” will explore the relationship between citizens and Nigeria’s security architecture. The second session, “From Awareness to Action: Civic Responsibility in Times of Crisis,” will spotlight the roles of civil society, educational institutions, and community leaders in supporting national security. Both sessions will include interactive presentations and feedback opportunities for participants.
All security agencies are expected to participate actively in the forum, including the Chief of Civil-Military Relations of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, paramilitary agencies, and other related institutions. Civil society organisations will also be well represented, ensuring broad and inclusive engagement.
The event will also include an active citizen feedback session and will culminate in the release of a post-event communiqué aimed at guiding future collaboration among stakeholders across sectors.
This engagement reinforces the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and represents a significant step toward institutionalizing citizen-centered approaches to national security, deepening public awareness, and advancing inclusive governance in Nigeria.