Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris and the National Security Adviser’s office called for tighter cooperation between security agencies and journalists during Thursday’s National Security Summit in Abuja. NSA Nuhu Ribadu was represented by his aide on strategic communication, Chido Onumah. The Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Department of State Services convened the summit under the theme “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building.”
Addressing attendees, Idris said Nigeria faces threats that demand more than military force. Terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, organized criminality, and disinformation are pushing the country to rethink security. He argued that effective responses now require both kinetic action and informed public engagement, built on mutual respect between press and security institutions.
Idris tied the push for collaboration to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted the administration’s focus on military operations, intelligence gathering, tech upgrades, and community engagement. Recent gains include neutralization of terrorists and bandits, rescues of kidnap victims, and dismantling of criminal camps. Yet he warned that misinformation and unverified reporting can erode those victories. 
The minister cautioned against two extremes: amplifying falsehoods without verification, and ignoring legitimate public concerns. He urged journalists to maintain ethical standards when covering security, stressing that national security suffers when either error occurs. Responsible reporting, he said, is a frontline tool in modern security management.
Speaking for the NSA, Onumah acknowledged the media’s duty to inform but emphasized the need for structured information sharing. He announced that the Office of the National Security Adviser is developing a National Security Strategic Communication Framework. The goal: balance transparency with operational security so reports don’t inadvertently aid terrorists or criminals.
The framework would include faster, verified crisis briefings and designated liaison officers to improve information flow. Onumah said journalists need credible access, while agencies must boost communication and transparency. Both sides, he noted, are “in this together” against threats that exploit information gaps.
Both Idris and the NSA’s office highlighted the non-kinetic side of security. They cited the Defence Ministry’s view that tackling insecurity is “40 per cent kinetic and 60 per cent non-kinetic.” Information management, strategic communications, and community engagement were described as decisive battlefronts where media partnerships matter most.
The summit drew NUJ President Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, security chiefs, academics, and media executives. It ended with pledges to operationalise the communication framework and hold regular engagements. The DSS was commended for fostering dialogue, while the Defence Ministry signaled plans to embed journalists with military units. Idris closed by saying a professional press working with transparent security agencies strengthens public confidence, democracy, and national resilience.
