COAS Urges Media To Take Lead Role Against Fake News

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged media professionals to take a leading role in countering misinformation and fake news, emphasizing that dominance of the information space is critical to strengthening national security and achieving operational success.

The COAS gave the charge on Tuesday, 9 June 2026 at the opening ceremony 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 integration is indispensable to joint and multi-agency operational success. According to him, in today’s complex information environment, where perception often shapes reality, the media remains a key partner in shaping narratives, building public confidence and denying adversaries the opportunity to exploit information gaps.

Represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, the COAS stressed that sustained media engagement and public support are now strategic imperatives across all theatres of operation. He added that transparent and proactive communication enhances credibility, fosters trust and reinforces the overall national security framework.

Addressing the theme, “Media Integration as a Force Multiplier for Joint and Multi-Agency Operational Success,” the COAS described the workshop as timely and forward-looking. He noted that it provides a critical platform for stakeholders to share ideas, adopt global best practices in conflict-sensitive reporting and develop coordinated strategies to counter misinformation and disinformation.

Lieutenant General Shaibu further highlighted the significant operational gains recorded by the Nigerian Army through enhanced inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing and unified planning. He emphasized that these successes must be effectively communicated to the public to sustain confidence and prevent adversaries from distorting operational realities.

The Army Chief reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Army to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order. He commended the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, for her leadership in organizing the workshop and advancing the strategic communication capabilities of the Nigerian Army.

The COAS also expressed profound appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his sustained support and strategic guidance towards enhancing the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, highlighted the importance of the workshop in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security landscape. She noted that contemporary threats now extend beyond the battlefield into the information domain, where fake news, misinformation, disinformation and Artificial Intelligence-generated content pose serious risks to national security.

She emphasized that collaboration between the military and the media is essential to ensuring accurate information dissemination, strengthening national cohesion and preventing hostile actors from exploiting the information space for destabilizing purposes.

Colonel Anele expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu for his visionary leadership and continued investment in personnel development, modernization and strategic communication, which have positioned the Nigerian Army to effectively respond to both current and emerging security challenges.

Appolonia Anele,Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations
9 June 2026