The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, have called for stronger collaboration between security agencies and the media as a critical component of Nigeria’s efforts to tackle insecurity and strengthen national resilience.
The call was made on Thursday at the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) under the theme, “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building.”
Speaking at the summit, Mohammed Idris described the gathering as timely, noting that the country is facing increasingly complex security threats that demand not only military responses but also effective public engagement and strategic communication.
According to the minister, challenges such as terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, organised criminality and disinformation have compelled nations to rethink traditional approaches to security.
“The relationship between the media and security agencies must therefore be founded on mutual respect, professionalism, trust and an appreciation of their complementary roles,” Idris said.
He explained that the partnership aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises national security through military operations, intelligence gathering, technological upgrades and community engagement.
Highlighting recent achievements in the fight against insecurity, Idris cited the neutralisation of terrorists and bandits, the rescue of kidnapped victims, the dismantling of criminal camps and ongoing investments in intelligence and surveillance capabilities.
However, he warned that misinformation, disinformation and premature reporting could undermine security operations and erode public confidence.
“National security is not served when misinformation is amplified without verification. Neither is it served when legitimate public concerns are ignored,” he said, urging journalists to uphold ethical standards and responsible reporting, particularly on security matters.
Representing the NSA at the summit, his aide on strategic communication, Chido Onumah, stressed the importance of balancing transparency with operational security through structured information-sharing mechanisms.
Onumah disclosed that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is developing a National Security Strategic Communication Framework aimed at creating a formal platform for collaboration between security institutions and the media.
“We are all in this together. Journalists must have access to credible information, while security agencies must improve their communication and transparency,” he said.
According to him, the proposed framework will help minimise the risk of reports that could inadvertently aid terrorists or criminal groups while safeguarding the public’s right to information.
The NSA’s office also revealed plans to strengthen engagement with the media through faster and verified briefings during crises, as well as the deployment of designated liaison officers to facilitate timely information flow.
Both Idris and the NSA emphasised that addressing insecurity required more than military action. They referenced the Defence Ministry’s assessment that the battle against insecurity is “40 per cent kinetic and 60 per cent non-kinetic,” underscoring the importance of information management, strategic communication and community engagement.
The summit, attended by NUJ President Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, security chiefs, academics and media executives, concluded with commitments from both the media and security agencies to deepen cooperation, enhance trust and establish effective verification mechanisms.
The DSS received commendation from the NUJ for facilitating constructive dialogue, while the Defence Ministry indicated plans to embed journalists with military formations to improve the accuracy and depth of security reporting.
In his closing remarks, Idris maintained that a professional and ethical media operating alongside transparent security institutions would strengthen public confidence, democracy and national development.
“The media informs citizens, shapes public opinion and promotes accountability, while security agencies protect lives and property. Where these functions are coordinated, democracy and development are strengthened,” he said.
The summit ended with a collective pledge by stakeholders to operationalise the proposed National Security Strategic Communication Framework and sustain regular engagements that protect both national security interests and citizens’ right to information.
