By Harriet Tornguvan
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged media professionals to take the lead in combating misinformation and fake news, stressing that controlling the information space is essential to strengthening national security and achieving operational success.
Speaking at the opening of the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) Combined First and Second Quarter Media Workshop 2026 held at the Army War College Nigeria on Tuesday, the Army Chief described strategic communication as a critical force multiplier in contemporary military operations.
Represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, Lt.-Gen. Shaibu noted that effective media integration has become indispensable to joint and multi-agency operational success, particularly in an era where public perception often influences realities on the ground.
He said the media remains a vital partner in shaping public narratives, building confidence in security institutions and denying adversaries opportunities to exploit information gaps through misinformation and disinformation.
According to him, sustained media engagement and public support are now strategic requirements across all theatres of operation, adding that transparent and proactive communication enhances institutional credibility, fosters trust and strengthens the nation’s security framework.
Addressing the workshop theme, “Media Integration as a Force Multiplier for Joint and Multi-Agency Operational Success,” the COAS described the programme as timely and forward-looking. He said the workshop provides a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, adopt global best practices in conflict-sensitive reporting and develop coordinated approaches to counter false narratives.
Lt.-Gen. Shaibu also highlighted operational successes recorded by the Nigerian Army through improved intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration and unified planning. He emphasized that such achievements must be effectively communicated to the public to sustain confidence in security operations and prevent hostile actors from distorting realities.
Reaffirming the Army’s commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order, the COAS commended the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, for her leadership in organizing the workshop and advancing the Army’s strategic communication capabilities.
He further expressed appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his continued support and strategic guidance towards enhancing the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
Earlier in her welcome address, Colonel Anele underscored the significance of the workshop in addressing the country’s evolving security challenges. She observed that contemporary threats now extend beyond the battlefield into the information domain, where fake news, misinformation, disinformation and Artificial Intelligence-generated content pose serious risks to national security.
According to her, stronger collaboration between the military and the media is necessary to ensure accurate information dissemination, promote national cohesion and prevent hostile actors from exploiting the information environment to undermine stability.
The Acting Director also lauded the Chief of Army Staff for his commitment to personnel development, modernization and strategic communication, noting that these efforts have enhanced the Nigerian Army’s capacity to respond effectively to both current and emerging security challenges.
The workshop brought together military public relations officers, media practitioners and communication experts to deliberate on strategies for strengthening information management and supporting national security objectives through responsible journalism and effective strategic communication.
