The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has urged media professionals to take a leading role in countering misinformation and fake news, saying that dominance of the information space is critical to national security and operational success.
The COAS made the call on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) Combined First and Second Quarter Media Workshop 2026, held at the Army War College, Nigeria.
Represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, Lieutenant General Shaibu described strategic communication as a vital force multiplier in modern military operations, stressing that effective media integration is indispensable to joint and multi-agency operational success.
“In today’s complex information environment, where perception often shapes reality, the media remains a key partner in shaping narratives, building public confidence and denying adversaries the opportunity to exploit information gaps,” he said.
The COAS noted that sustained media engagement and public support are now strategic imperatives across all theatres of operation, adding that transparent and proactive communication enhances credibility, fosters trust and reinforces the overall national security framework.
The workshop, themed “Media Integration as a Force Multiplier for Joint and Multi-Agency Operational Success,” was described by the COAS as timely and forward-looking, providing a platform for stakeholders to share ideas, adopt global best practices in conflict-sensitive reporting and develop coordinated strategies against misinformation and disinformation.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also highlighted significant operational gains recorded by the Nigerian Army through enhanced inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing and unified planning, stressing that such successes must be effectively communicated to prevent adversaries from distorting operational realities.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order, while commending the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, for her leadership in organising the workshop.
The COAS further expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his sustained support and strategic guidance in enhancing the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
In her welcome remarks, Colonel Anele noted that contemporary threats now extend beyond the battlefield into the information domain, where fake news, misinformation, disinformation and AI-generated content pose serious risks to national security.
She stressed that collaboration between the military and the media is essential to ensuring accurate information dissemination, strengthening national cohesion and preventing hostile actors from exploiting the information space for destabilising purposes.
Colonel Anele also commended Lieutenant General Shaibu for his visionary leadership and continued investment in personnel development, modernisation and strategic communication, which she said have positioned the Nigerian Army to effectively respond to both current and emerging security challenges. #Securitynewsalert.com
