The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has said the synergy between the Nigerian Army and the media is not a matter of convenience.
The Army chief called it a strategic imperative to shape public understanding, mobilise national support, and highlight sacrifices made by troops in defending the nation.
Oluyede said this yesterday in Abuja while declaring open a three-day seminar with the theme: Enhancing Responsible Media Reportage of Nigerian Army Operations in a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment for Enhanced National Security. It was organised by the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) for DAPR officers, sister security agencies, and defence correspondents.
The COAS said the carefully chosen theme underscored the vital role of accountability, balance, and responsibility in the reportage of military operations – particularly in a joint environment where collaboration among security agencies is indispensable.
Represented by the Commander of the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Abdullahi, the COAS noted that in an era where the battle for hearts and minds is as critical as the battle in the field, responsible media reportage has become a key enabler of operational success.
He stressed that the perception of the Nigerian Army, as well as all security agencies, ‘is largely shaped by the narratives carried in the media space’.
Oluyede noted that with the rise of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, the speed and reach of information – both genuine and false – have multiplied.
According to him, fake news, manipulated images, and deepfakes now pose real threats to national cohesion and operational integrity.
‘Therefore, our collective task is not only to counter misinformation but to ensure that truth and verified facts dominate public discourse.
‘Through initiatives such as this seminar, we seek to build a shared framework for responsible, conflict-sensitive reporting – one that amplifies truth, promotes professionalism, and safeguards national interest. It is our collective duty to ensure that the stories of our men and women in uniform are told accurately, respectfully, and in a way that strengthens the bond between the Armed Forces and the people we serve.
‘To the participants, I urge you to make the best use of this platform. Learn, share experiences, and build the capacity to navigate today’s complex media environment. The lectures and discussions during this seminar have been carefully curated to address the evolving challenges of defence communication, crisis reporting, and information management,’ Oluyede said.
The COAS urged the participants to learn, share experiences, and build the capacity to navigate the complex media environment.
He said the papers to be presented had been carefully curated to address the evolving challenges of defence communication, crisis reporting, and information management.
The acting Director of the Nigerian Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele, noted that in today’s dynamic security environment, the role of the media transcends reporting events, extending to shaping public perception, rallying national support, countering misinformation and influencing the outcome of military operations.
She stressed that with the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the rapid spread of information through digital platforms, narratives could be manipulated within seconds – fake news, doctored images, and deepfakes now posed as much threat as enemy propaganda on the battlefield.
‘This reality underscores why fact-checking, verification, and responsible journalism have become indispensable to both national security and public trust.
‘No doubt, warfare is not fought solely with weapons but also in the information domain. Hybrid threats, disinformation campaigns and Artificial Intelligence-driven fake content are being weaponised to erode public confidence, discredit institutions and demoralise security forces.
‘To defeat these threats, we must counter falsehoods with verified facts, replace propaganda with truth, and ensure that the Nigerian public is accurately informed. This calls for professionalism, ethics and patriotism from all media stakeholders,’ she said.
Anele pledged the directorate’s commitment to ensuring access to timely, credible, and verifiable information that would enable responsible reportage while safeguarding national security interests.
She added: ‘For participants at this seminar, our role is not only to inform but to ensure that narratives surrounding security operations are accurate, constructive and supportive of national security objectives. Together, we must ensure that our troops win not only the battles in the field but also the battles of perception and information in the public domain. We must encourage and appreciate the huge sacrifices of troops, their gallantry sacrifice must be reinforced by responsible media reportage that amplifies their achievements, counters false narratives and fosters unity among Nigerians.’