Army Chief Calls for Responsible Media Reportage, Collaboration to Counter Misinformation, Declares 2025 Army Media Training Seminar Open
By Chidi Omeje
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Femi Olufemi Oluyede, has emphasized the need for deeper collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the media in promoting accurate and responsible reportage of security operations.
He made the call at the opening ceremony of the Third and Fourth Quarters Media Training Seminar 2025 of the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR), held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.
Represented by the Commander, Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Major General Mohammed Tanimu Abdullahi, the Army Chief noted that responsible and balanced media engagement is a strategic necessity in the collective effort to safeguard national security, especially in the face of emerging information warfare challenges.
The seminar, with the theme “Enhancing Responsible Media Reportage of Nigerian Army Operations in a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment for Enhanced National Security,” brought together Defence Correspondents, spokespersons of other security agencies, senior military officers, and communication experts to deliberate on effective communication strategies in the digital era.
“In an era where the battle for hearts and minds is as critical as the battle in the field, responsible media reportage has become a key enabler of operational success,” Lt Gen Oluyede stated.
“The perception of the Nigerian Army, and indeed all security agencies, is largely shaped by the narratives carried in the media space.”
He observed that with the proliferation of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, the speed and reach of information, both genuine and false, have multiplied, posing serious challenges to national unity and operational integrity.
He warned that fake news, manipulated images, and deepfakes now constitute real threats to national cohesion, stressing that the task of both the military and the media is to ensure that truth and verified facts dominate public discourse.
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“Victory today is not won solely on the battlefield,” he said. “It is increasingly fought in the information domain, where narratives, perceptions, and public confidence are decisive.”
The Acting Director, Directorate of Army Public Relations, Lt Col Apollonia Anele had earlier in her welcome address stated that the seminar aligns with the Command Philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, which seeks to “consolidate the transformation of the Nigerian Army towards bequeathing a well-motivated and combat-ready force capable of effectively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.”
According to her, the Directorate of Army Public Relations remains resolute in ensuring access to credible, timely, and verifiable information that enables responsible reporting without compromising national security interests.
Lt Gen Oluyede underscored that synergy between the Army and the media remains a strategic imperative rather than a matter of convenience.
According to him, the media serves as a vital partner in shaping public understanding, mobilizing national support, and highlighting the sacrifices of troops who continue to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation.
He explained that initiatives such as the media training seminar were designed to build a shared framework for responsible and conflict-sensitive reporting, one that amplifies truth, professionalism, and patriotism while safeguarding national interest.
“It is our collective duty to ensure that the stories of our men and women in uniform are told accurately, respectfully, and in a way that strengthens the bond between the Armed Forces and the people we serve,” the COAS emphasized.
The Army Chief who was represented by the Commander Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Maj Gen Mohamed Abdullahi, urged participants to take full advantage of the seminar by learning, sharing experiences, and developing the capacity to navigate the complexities of today’s information environment.
He commended the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Onyema Anele, for his initiative and dedication to enhancing professional standards in military-media relations, and also appreciated the resource persons and media executives for their collaboration and commitment.
