The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged media professionals to take the lead in countering misinformation and fake news, saying dominance of the information space is critical to national security and operational success.
He gave the charge on Tuesday at the opening of the Directorate of Army Public Relations Combined First and Second Quarter Media Workshop 2026 at the Army War College Nigeria.
Represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, the COAS described strategic communication as a vital force multiplier in modern military operations. He said effective media integration is indispensable to joint and multi-agency operations.
“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.
General Shaibu stressed that sustained media engagement and public support are now strategic imperatives across all theatres of operation. He added that transparent and proactive communication enhances credibility, fosters trust and reinforces the national security framework.
Speaking on the theme, “Media Integration as a Force Multiplier for Joint and Multi-Agency Operational Success,” the Army Chief described the workshop as timely and forward-looking. He said it provides a platform for stakeholders to share ideas, adopt global best practices in conflict-sensitive reporting, and develop coordinated strategies to counter misinformation and disinformation.
He highlighted significant operational gains by the Nigerian Army through enhanced inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing and unified planning, and said such successes must be communicated to sustain public confidence and prevent adversaries from distorting operational realities.
The COAS reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order. He commended the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, for organizing the workshop and advancing the Army’s strategic communication capacity.
He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for sustained support and strategic guidance to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
Earlier, Colonel Anele said the workshop was important given Nigeria’s evolving security landscape. She noted that threats now extend beyond the battlefield into the information domain, where fake news, misinformation, disinformation and AI-generated content pose risks to national security.
She stressed that military-media collaboration is essential for accurate information dissemination, national cohesion, and preventing hostile actors from exploiting the information space.
Colonel Anele appreciated Lieutenant General Shaibu for his leadership and investment in personnel development, modernization and strategic communication.
COAS Urges Journalists To Control Media Space, Counter Fake News
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