RismadarVoice Reporters
June 9, 2026
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called on media professionals to take a leading role in countering misinformation and fake news, stressing that control of the information space is critical to strengthening national security and ensuring operational success.
Shaibu made the call on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at the opening of the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) Combined First and Second Quarter Media Workshop 2026, held at the Army War College Nigeria.
He described strategic communication as a vital force multiplier in modern military operations, noting that effective media engagement is essential for joint and multi-agency coordination. According to him, in today’s information-driven environment, perception often shapes reality, making the media a key partner in building public confidence and denying adversaries opportunities to manipulate narratives.
Speaking on the workshop theme, “Media Integration as a Force Multiplier for Joint and Multi-Agency Operational Success,” the COAS said the engagement was timely and critical to improving collaboration between the military and the media.
He added that sustained media engagement and proactive communication are necessary to highlight operational gains recorded by the Nigerian Army through inter-agency cooperation, intelligence sharing, and coordinated planning.
Lieutenant General Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and constitutional order. He also commended the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, for her leadership in strengthening the Army’s strategic communication capacity.
He further expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his continued support toward enhancing the operational effectiveness of the military.
In her welcome remarks, Colonel Anele emphasised the growing importance of strategic communication in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, noting that modern threats now extend into the information domain.
She warned that fake news, misinformation, disinformation, and artificial intelligence-generated content pose serious risks to national stability, stressing the need for stronger collaboration between the military and the media.
Colonel Anele also commended the COAS for his leadership and investment in personnel development and modernisation, describing it as key to strengthening the Army’s response to current and emerging security threats.
