The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has urged media professionals to take a frontline role in countering misinformation and fake news, warning that control of the information space is now critical to national security and military effectiveness.
He gave the charge on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, while declaring open 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, the COAS described strategic communication as a force multiplier in modern military operations, stressing that media collaboration is essential for joint and multi-agency success.
“In today’s information environment, perception often shapes reality. The media remains a key partner in building public confidence and denying adversaries the space to manipulate narratives,” he said.
He added that sustained engagement with the public through credible information helps strengthen trust in the Armed Forces and supports ongoing security operations across the country.
Speaking on the workshop theme, “Media Integration as a Force Multiplier for Joint and Multi-Agency Operational Success,” Shaibu said the forum was timely, noting that it provides an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the military and the media.
The Army Chief highlighted operational gains recorded through improved inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing, and coordinated planning, stressing the need for such successes to be properly communicated to the public.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to defending the country’s sovereignty and constitutional order, while commending the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, for strengthening the Army’s strategic communication capacity.
Shaibu also appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support to the Armed Forces, describing it as crucial to enhancing operational effectiveness.
Earlier, Colonel Anele said modern security threats increasingly extend into the digital space, where misinformation, disinformation, and AI-generated content pose significant risks to national stability.
She stressed that collaboration between the military and the media remains essential for accurate information dissemination and national cohesion, while thanking the COAS for his leadership and investment in capacity building within the Army.
