A clear warning emerged from the Nigerian Army headquarters on Tuesday as the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, raised concerns over the growing influence of misinformation, fake news, and hostile propaganda on national security. His position echoed a broader institutional worry that the fast-moving digital space has become a major pressure point for military operations across the country.
The message was delivered through the Commander of the Nigerian Army Women Corps, Brigadier General Igbawua Amatso, during the 2025 Media Workshop organised by the Directorate of Army Public Relations and the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information in Abuja. The annual programme has become a key platform for the Army to review communication strategies and to align with the evolving media environment.
This year’s theme, “Navigating the Evolving Media Landscape: Enhancing Collaboration with Media Stakeholders through New Media”, framed the discussion around the growing intersection between national security and digital communication. The Army leadership described the topic as timely, noting that information management has now become a central pillar of modern security operations.
General Shaibu’s remarks outlined the depth of the challenge. He stated that the rise of unverified online content and coordinated misinformation campaigns has the capacity to weaken troop morale and distort public understanding of military activities. According to him, “the immediacy and reach of new media platforms have transformed how information is shared, consumed, and interpreted”, creating both a direct channel for the Army to communicate its efforts and an open field for fabricated narratives.
The service chief underscored that new media tools now allow the institution to project professionalism, transparency, and operational commitments more effectively. However, he cautioned that the same platforms expose the military to “misinformation, fake news and malicious propaganda that can affect troops’ morale, undermine operational successes and erode public trust”. His statement pointed to the broader reality in which public perception has become as critical as battlefield outcomes.
The Army highlighted that media stakeholders remain “critical partners” in managing this landscape. The high command called for deeper collaboration founded on mutual understanding, professionalism, and responsible dissemination of information, especially during internal security operations and emergencies. The institution also emphasised that accurate reporting can help counter false narratives that often circulate during crises.
General Shaibu stressed that public backing is essential to the success of ongoing operations across the country’s security theatres. With security threats becoming more complex, he noted that strategies for shaping public perception must evolve accordingly and must be treated as a strategic necessity rather than an optional consideration.
The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, reinforced this message in her welcome address. Represented by the Acting Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Adamu Ngulde, she described the workshop as an established channel for professional engagement between the Army, the media, and academic partners. She explained that rapid information circulation demands a renewed focus on accuracy and transparency, noting that narratives formed online can influence national stability within minutes.
Ngulde assured that the Army remains committed to maintaining open lines of communication with journalists and to providing timely and credible updates through established platforms. He described the relationship between the media and the military as mutually reinforcing, stating that “the Nigerian Army depends on the media to convey accurate information about its operations, while the media relies on the Army for timely, factual and credible updates”.
