The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Armed Forces’ commitment to combating disinformation through strategic collaboration with media professionals and international partners.
Represented by Rear Admiral I.M. Haruna, General Musa made this known at the maiden Diplomatic and Security International Conference hosted by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) in Abuja.
He emphasized that misinformation and disinformation are no longer just journalistic challenges but potent national security threats capable of undermining public trust and empowering criminal networks.
“Disinformation is not just a media problem—it is a national security threat. In the age of hybrid warfare, misinformation can erode public trust, destabilize communities, and embolden criminal networks,” he said.
Highlighting the military’s readiness to collaborate with journalists, the CDS stressed the importance of accurate and responsible reporting, particularly from conflict zones and areas grappling with transborder crimes.
“We are ready to partner with journalists and media institutions to ensure accurate, timely, and responsible reporting,” he added.
The high-level conference, themed “Diplomacy, Security, and the Media in a Changing World Order,” convened diplomats, security experts, academics, and media professionals to examine evolving global threats, including the manipulation of information in the digital age.
Panel discussions and keynote addresses covered topics such as cyber warfare, diplomacy in conflict resolution, and maintaining information integrity amid global crises.
Key recommendations from the event included:
Regular media-diplomatic engagements
Joint capacity-building programs for journalists and security personnel
Establishment of a national fact-checking task force to counter disinformation campaigns
The conference also honored individuals for outstanding contributions to national security, diplomacy, and credible journalism. Among the awardees was General Musa, whose leadership in enhancing military-media relations received wide commendation.