ABUJA – The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called on media practitioners to intensify efforts in combating misinformation and disinformation, stressing that effective control of the information space is essential to national security and military operational success.
Speaking at the opening of the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) Combined First and Second Quarter Media Workshop 2026 in Abuja on Tuesday, the Army Chief said strategic communication has become a critical component of modern warfare and national security management.
Represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, the COAS noted that the media plays a pivotal role in shaping public perception, building confidence in security institutions and denying criminal elements the opportunity to manipulate narratives.
“In today’s complex information environment, perception often shapes reality. The media remains a vital partner in shaping narratives, building public trust and denying adversaries the opportunity to exploit information gaps,” he said.
The workshop, themed “Media Integration as a Force Multiplier for Joint and Multi-Agency Operational Success,” brought together military personnel, media professionals and communication experts to examine the growing role of information management in addressing contemporary security challenges.
Lieutenant General Shaibu described the workshop as a timely initiative aimed at fostering collaboration between the military and the media while promoting best practices in conflict-sensitive reporting.
He said the Nigerian Army had continued to record operational successes through enhanced intelligence sharing, inter-agency cooperation and coordinated planning, adding that such achievements must be effectively communicated to Nigerians to sustain public confidence and counter misinformation.
The Army Chief emphasized that transparent and proactive communication has become a strategic necessity in military operations, noting that public support remains a critical factor in achieving lasting security outcomes.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional democracy, while expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support to the Armed Forces.
The COAS also commended the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, for her efforts in advancing the Army’s strategic communication objectives and organizing the workshop.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Lieutenant Colonel Anele warned that emerging threats in the information domain were becoming increasingly sophisticated, with fake news, misinformation, disinformation and Artificial Intelligence-generated content posing serious challenges to national security.
According to her, modern security threats are no longer confined to conventional battlefields, as hostile actors increasingly exploit digital platforms and emerging technologies to spread false narratives capable of undermining national cohesion and public confidence.
She stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the military and media organizations to ensure the dissemination of accurate information and prevent the manipulation of public opinion by criminal and anti-state elements.
Anele further praised the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff for prioritizing personnel development, modernization and strategic communication, saying the initiatives have enhanced the Nigerian Army’s ability to respond effectively to evolving security challenges.
The workshop is expected to generate recommendations aimed at strengthening military-media relations and improving strategic communication in support of ongoing joint and multi-agency security operations across the country.
