Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris and the National Security Adviser (NSA), represented at Thursday’s National Security Summit by his aide on strategic communication, Chido Onumah, urged deeper collaboration between security agencies and the media as central to Nigeria’s strategy for tackling insecurity.
Speaking at the summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) with the Department of State Services (DSS) under the theme “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building,” Idris said the meeting was timely amid increasingly complex threats that require both kinetic responses and informed public engagement.
“Terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, organised criminality and disinformation have forced nations to rethink traditional approaches to security,” Idris said.
“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 framed the partnership as integral to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the administration has prioritised security through military operations, intelligence gathering, technological upgrades and community engagement.
He pointed to recent successes neutralization of terrorists and bandits, rescues of kidnapped victims, dismantled criminal camps and investments in intelligence and surveillance while warning that misinformation and premature reporting could undermine those gains.
“National security is not served when misinformation is amplified without verification. Neither is it served when legitimate public concerns are ignored,” the minister said, urging journalists to uphold ethical standards and responsible reporting on security matters.
Onumah, speaking for the NSA Nuhu Ribadu, said the government recognises the media’s right and duty to inform, but stressed the need for a structured channel for information sharing that balances transparency with operational security.
He announced that ONSA is developing a National Security Strategic Communication Framework to create that platform.
“We are all in this together,” Onumah said. “Journalists must have access to credible information; security agencies must improve their communication and transparency.
The framework will help reduce the risk of reports that could inadvertently aid terrorists or criminal elements, while protecting the public’s right to know.”
The NSA’s office also highlighted practical steps being considered to strengthen ties with the press, including faster, verified briefings during crises and designated liaison officers to coordinate timely information flow.
Both Idris and the NSA underscored that modern security is not only kinetic.
The Defence Ministry’s assessment that addressing insecurity is “40 per cent kinetic and 60 per cent non-kinetic” was cited to stress information management, strategic communications and community engagement as decisive battlefronts.
The summit attended by NUJ President Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, security chiefs, academics and media executives produced commitments on both sides to deepen engagement, build trust and develop mechanisms for verification and responsible reporting.
The DSS earned praise from the NUJ for facilitating constructive dialogue, and the Defence Ministry signalled plans to embed journalists with military units for clearer, more accurate operational reporting.
Idris concluded that a professional, ethical press working in partnership with transparent security institutions strengthens public confidence and national resilience.
“The media informs citizens, shapes public opinion and promotes accountability; security agencies protect lives and property. Where these functions are coordinated, democracy and development are strengthened,” he said.
The summit ended with a pledge by media and security stakeholders to operationalise the proposed communication framework and sustain regular engagements that protect both national security and the public’s right to information.
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