Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) has launched a collaborative training initiative with media and government information officers to strengthen the country’s response to fake news and extremist propaganda as part of broader national security efforts.
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The workshop, held on Monday in Abuja, brought together information and public relations officers from various ministries, departments and agencies alongside journalists to develop coordinated approaches for countering misinformation and divisive narratives. The National Counter Terrorism Centre organised the training in partnership with the Nigerian Union of Journalists Federal Information Chapel.
National Coordinator of the NCTC, Major-General Adamu Laka, noted that public information officers play a vital role in shaping narratives and managing public perception, particularly during national crises. The theme of the workshop, “Empowering the Messenger: Innovative Approaches to Public Information in the Face of Security Challenges,” reflects the centre’s broader strategy of strengthening national resilience against extremist ideologies.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris, represented by Permanent Secretary Chinasa Ogbodo, called for closer collaboration between government communicators, media professionals, and security agencies in the fight against misinformation. The minister stressed that both accurate information and security are essential for maintaining peace and stability, warning that misinformation can weaken public trust while insecurity threatens freedom of expression.
Voice of Nigeria Director-General Jibrin Baba-Ndace highlighted the media’s responsibility as “guardians of public trust,” stating that security challenges represent battles for hearts and minds rather than purely physical confrontations. He urged journalists and information managers to uphold truth and promote unity while avoiding actions that could weaken national institutions, particularly security agencies.
The training aims to enhance communication capabilities across government institutions involved in national security while supporting the Strategic Communication Inter-Agency Policy Committee in harmonising communication strategies to prevent radicalisation and combat violent extremism. Officials noted that the rapid flow of information in the digital age has made the role of public information officers more critical than ever.
Nigerian Television Authority Director-General Salihu Dambos, through his representative, Director of News Halima Musa, stressed the importance of responsible and timely reporting in countering extremist propaganda and building public confidence. He described the narratives created and information disseminated as “potent weapons” in the broader security battle.
National Orientation Agency Director-General Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by Communications Director Bala Musa, characterised information and public relations professionals as being on the front lines of national security, wielding words, truth, and trust rather than weapons. He stated that their ability to communicate effectively, counter misinformation, and engage citizens constructively has become central to national security efforts.
Officials stressed the need for well-coordinated, innovative information strategies to ensure public communication serves as a force for enlightenment and national cohesion rather than division.
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