Theme: “The Nigerian Security Environment: The Role of Strategic Communication in Strengthening Civil-Military Relations”
November 20, 2025 | Jos, Plateau State
In an era where information travels at unprecedented speeds and emerging technologies reshape both security and media landscapes, the Nigerian Army convened its Fourth Quarter 2025 Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat in Jos, Plateau State. The event brought together military leaders, media executives, security stakeholders, and civil society representatives to address a critical question: How can strategic communication strengthen the bond between the military and the communities they serve?
Setting the Stage: A Call for Collaboration
Major General Musa A. Etsu-Ndagi, Chief of Civil Service Affairs, welcomed participants to the quarterly engagement designed to build capacity and strengthen mutual understanding between the Army and media stakeholders in addressing contemporary security challenges.
The theme:”The Nigerian Security Environment: The Role of Strategic Communication in Strengthening Civil-Military Relations” was deliberately chosen to harmonize efforts between the Nigerian Army and media organizations in their joint pursuit of national security.
Major General Etsu-Ndagi emphasized that in today’s security landscape, the media’s influence carries both positive and negative consequences, with its reach easily misused by malicious actors to instigate insecurity or sway public sentiment against government efforts.
The Chief of Army Staff’s Vision
Lieutenant General Wahidi Shaibu, represented by Major General D. F. Olayinka, Commander of Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, delivered the keynote address that underscored the military’s commitment to non-kinetic approaches alongside traditional operations.
The Chief of Army Staff highlighted that advancements in information and communication technology have transformed the media space into a powerful driver of human interaction, bringing immense opportunities but also significant security implications including the rapid spread of fake news, amplification of misinformation, malicious disclosure of classified information, and weaponization of narratives by hostile actors.
The address called for a “deeper partnership between the pen and the sword,” emphasizing that transparent yet responsible reporting, timely dissemination of accurate information, and mutual respect between institutions are essential for national security.
Media as a Strategic Partner
Mallam Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), represented by Mrs. Rifkatu Daniel, reinforced the importance of the longstanding partnership between the NTA and the Nigerian Army.
The NTA representative noted that strategic communication demands proper understanding of issues, knowledge of when, where, and how to share information, and awareness of its impact on the public, ultimately enhancing military operational effectiveness and improving media reportage.
The NTA pledged full commitment to supporting Nigerian Army initiatives across all stations nationwide, promising to honor invitations, cover events, and provide platforms for public education.
Understanding Civil-Military Cooperation
Major Joel Mamza, Acting Assistant Director Legal at Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs, provided comprehensive insights into the Nigerian Army’s structure and engagement mechanisms.
The Nigerian Army, established for the protection of Nigeria’s territorial integrity, conducts operations utilizing both kinetic measures involving limited force and non-kinetic operations involving civil-military interactions with civilian populations, government and non-governmental organizations during both war and peace.
Since establishing the Department of Civil-Military Affairs in 2010, the Army has engaged communities through seminars, workshops, media chats, stakeholder forums, medical and educational outreaches, and quick-impact projects all designed to improve collaboration and enhance national security.
Emerging Technologies: Opportunities and Threats
Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (Rtd) delivered a compelling lecture on emerging technologies and their impact on military-media collaboration. His presentation explored how artificial intelligence, big data analytics, social media platforms, and the Internet of Things have fundamentally transformed information production and dissemination.
Key opportunities identified include:
Improved timeliness and reach of official communications through digital platforms
Enhanced transparency and trust-building through proactive media engagement
Better co-creation of content through embedded media in military operations
Joint capacity building in technology, verification, and conflict-sensitive reporting
Data analytics for aligning messaging and countering disinformation
Critical challenges highlighted:
Mistrust stemming from different operational cultures between media and military
The military’s need for operational security versus the media’s duty to inform the public
Rapid spread of misinformation and deepfakes that can undermine operations
The weaponization of information by hostile actors
Strategic Communication as Counter-Extremism Tool
Professor Ezekiel Cosmos delivered a powerful second lecture emphasizing how strategic communication serves as a vital tool for countering violent extremism and insurgency.
Through vivid examples, he illustrated how insurgent groups deliberately design their messaging and imagery to influence public perception. Professor Cosmos noted that insurgents have sophisticated information channels and purposefully design images with specific backgrounds and symbols to convey their intended messages.
He warned that poorly constructed media narratives even when well-intentioned can deflate military morale, jeopardize national security, and provide propaganda opportunities for extremist groups. The professor referenced the Daily Trust incident during Operation Burma, where premature publication of military plans compromised operational security.
Panel Discussions: Bridging the Gap
Two robust panel discussions provided platforms for candid exchanges between military leaders and media practitioners.
The First Panel, moderated by Ms. Adesuwa Omoruan of Arise TV, tackled the fundamental tension: the military seeks operational secrecy for effectiveness while the media demands transparency to inform the public. Panelists explored how to find mutual ground in an age where messages travel instantaneously and can distort narratives faster than corrections can be issued.
The Second Panel, moderated by Mallam Ahmed Tijani, focused on strategic communication for countering violent extremism. Discussants emphasized the critical need for inter-agency collaboration, citing instances where intelligence warnings failed to prevent attacks due to communication breakdowns between security agencies.
Professional journalists reiterated their commitment to responsible reporting, community building, and national security recognizing that their communities cannot thrive without safety.
The Media Chat Session
The highlight of the event was the direct media chat with the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs and his team, including Colonel M.S. Sule, Colonel M.S. Abba, and Lieutenant Colonel A.I. Danja.
Journalists raised pressing questions about:
AI-generated disinformation: How to verify military rescue operations when conflicting narratives emerge online
Community impact: Whether civil-military projects like boreholes and schools have genuinely improved peace and cooperation
Uniform impersonation: How the military addresses criminals using military attire for illegal activities
Community self-defense: Balancing security concerns with communities’ needs to protect themselves
Reporting protocols: Whether guidelines exist for responsible terrorism reporting
Major General Etsu-Ndagi responded that civil-military programs directly target community needs based on feedback, successfully winning hearts and minds by addressing what communities actually want rather than imposing unwanted projects.
He also highlighted the Chief of Army Staff’s scholarship scheme, which provides educational support to deserving students from each division, and literary competitions that build skills among young Nigerians.
Key Takeaways for Media-Military Relations
Several critical themes emerged from the day’s proceedings:
1. Trust Through Transparency: Both institutions must balance operational security with public accountability. The military committed to providing accurate information within security constraints, while media practitioners pledged responsible, verified reporting.
2. Technology Literacy: Both sectors must understand emerging technologies their capabilities, limitations, and vulnerabilities to effectively collaborate in the digital age.
3. Strategic Communication: Messages must be carefully crafted to inform without inadvertently amplifying extremist propaganda or compromising operations.
4. Community-Centered Approaches: Civil-military cooperation succeeds when interventions address genuine community needs identified through dialogue.
5. Continuous Engagement: Quarterly media chats and regular stakeholder forums provide essential platforms for building mutual understanding.
In his closing remarks, Major General Musa Ndagi thanked participants for their engaging and intelligent questions, urging media practitioners to serve as good ambassadors of the Nigerian Army by sharing what they learned. He emphasized that defeating adversaries requires unity, not division or conflicting narratives.
The event concluded with symbolic presentations recognizing participants’ contributions and the importance of sustained collaboration between security agencies and media organizations.
Conclusion
The Nigerian Army’s Fourth Quarter 2025 Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat demonstrated that strengthening civil-military relations in the digital age requires more than occasional meetings it demands sustained commitment, mutual respect, technological awareness, and strategic communication frameworks that serve both national security and public transparency.
As Nigeria confronts evolving security challenges, the partnership between those who report and those who defend becomes ever more critical. The real question isn’t whether the military and media can work together it’s whether they can afford not to.
The next Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat is scheduled for the First Quarter of 2026.
