The federal government says the media and security agencies share a common responsibility in safeguarding national stability, peace, and development.
Speaking on Thursday at a national security summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja, Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, called for stronger collaboration between both institutions.
Idris said the media and security agencies occupy strategic positions in Nigeria’s development architecture.
“While security agencies are entrusted with protecting lives, property, and national sovereignty, the media serves as the watchdog of society, the marketplace of ideas, and the bridge between government and citizens,” he said.
“Both institutions share a common objective: safeguarding the national interest and promoting peace, unity, and development.”
The minister said collaboration built on mutual respect, professionalism, trust and understanding of complementary roles would strengthen national security and boost public confidence in government institutions.
He noted that Nigeria continues to face complex security challenges, including terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, organised crime, misinformation, separatist agitations, and other emerging threats.
Idris said the Bola Tinubu administration has continued to prioritise security as a key pillar of its Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Recognising that no meaningful development can occur without peace and stability, the administration has pursued a comprehensive security strategy that combines military action, intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, technological innovation, and community engagement,” he said.
The minister said security agencies have recorded successes in the arrest and neutralisation of terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements.
He added that criminal camps and hideouts have been dismantled while hundreds of kidnapped victims have been rescued across the country.
According to him, sustained military operations have degraded the capabilities of terrorist groups in the north-east, while intensified offensives against banditry and kidnapping in the north-west and north-central have yielded positive outcomes.
Idris noted that the federal government has invested in military hardware, intelligence infrastructure, surveillance technologies, and capacity building for security personnel.
He said the administration is addressing the root causes of insecurity through economic reforms, youth empowerment programmes, infrastructure development, educational opportunities, and social intervention initiatives.
Speaking on the role of the media, Idris said responsible journalism has become increasingly important in an era of misinformation and disinformation.
“National security is not served when misinformation is amplified without verification,” he said.
“Neither is it served when legitimate public concerns are ignored. The challenge before us is to strike the right balance between the public’s right to know and the imperative of protecting national security.”
The minister urged journalists to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, accuracy, fairness, and ethical reporting.
He also encouraged security agencies to deepen engagement with the media through timely, credible, and transparent communication.
Idris said the federal ministry of information and national orientation remains committed to promoting constructive engagement between the media and security institutions.
He said the ministry would continue to support dialogue, capacity building, strategic communication, and public enlightenment initiatives.
Describing security as a shared national responsibility, the minister urged citizens, communities, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and religious leaders to contribute to efforts aimed at building a peaceful and prosperous country.
Idris commended the NUJ and DSS for organising the summit and expressed confidence that its deliberations would generate recommendations to strengthen collaboration between the media and security agencies.
The event was attended by senior government officials, security chiefs, media executives, and communication professionals, including Ike Neliaku, president of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR); and Alhassan Yahaya, national president of the NUJ.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
