RismadarVoice Reporters
June 19, 2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria is considering a new initiative that would allow journalists to accompany military personnel on selected operations as part of efforts to improve security reporting, enhance transparency, and strengthen public understanding of Nigeria’s security challenges.
The proposal was disclosed by the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, during the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Abuja on Thursday.
The minister who was represented at the event by his Special Adviser, Olusanya Bankole, said that the initiative is aimed at fostering closer collaboration between the media and security agencies while ensuring more accurate and informed reporting of military activities across the country.
Musa noted that the role of the media in modern security management has become increasingly significant, stressing that journalists are no longer mere observers but key stakeholders in shaping public perception, influencing national discourse and promoting stability.
“More than ever before, the media are not only enablers; they are stabilisers of government,” he stated.
He explained that effective communication remains a critical component of national security, emphasising that public confidence in security institutions is strengthened when citizens are adequately informed about government efforts to tackle insecurity.
The minister revealed that the Ministry of Defence is exploring arrangements that would see journalists embedded within military units during selected operations. Such a framework, he said, would provide media practitioners with firsthand exposure to operational realities, enabling them to report security issues with greater accuracy and context.
According to him, the proposed initiative forms part of broader reforms designed to improve engagement between the military and the media while promoting transparency in security operations.
Musa argued that the success of military operations should not be measured solely by battlefield victories but also by the level of trust and confidence citizens place in security institutions.
He further noted that stronger cooperation between journalists and security agencies would help combat misinformation, improve public awareness of security challenges and contribute to national stability.
The Defence Minister stressed that building mutual understanding and trust between both institutions is essential to achieving sustainable peace and strengthening democratic governance.
The proposal comes at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with multiple security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other forms of criminality affecting different parts of the country.
Stakeholders at the summit observed that closer collaboration between the media and security agencies could play a significant role in ensuring balanced reporting, promoting national unity and enhancing public support for ongoing security operations.
