ABUJA, Nigeria — The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and service chiefs are among the key stakeholders expected to attend the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) national security summit holding in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the summit, NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahya, said the two-day event was conceived in recognition of the critical role both the media and security agencies play in promoting peace, national unity and stability. The summit, themed “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building”, will bring together journalists, security experts, government officials, development partners and civil society organisations.
According to Yahya, the summit was informed by the recognition that national security remains a collective responsibility requiring commitment and collaboration of all stakeholders. He noted that the media occupies a strategic position in shaping public discourse and fostering national cohesion, while security agencies remain critical partners in protecting lives and safeguarding sovereignty.
The NUJ president explained that discussions at the summit would focus on responsible security reporting, combating misinformation and disinformation, protecting national interests while upholding press freedom, improving access to credible information, and strengthening collaboration between journalists and security institutions.
Yahya stressed that the initiative was not intended to undermine media independence or interfere with the operational responsibilities of security agencies, but rather to deepen understanding and establish a framework for cooperation that would benefit Nigerians. “NUJ believes that a well-informed society is a safer society. Journalists must continue to report security matters with accuracy, balance and sensitivity, while security agencies must appreciate the media as an essential partner in democratic governance,” he said.
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, will serve as Special Guest of Honour alongside Ribadu, while the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, will deliver the keynote address. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, will chair the occasion.
Over the two days, participants will deliberate on issues including responsible reporting of security operations, access to official briefings, protection and safety of journalists covering security beats, and building mutual trust between journalists and security personnel. The summit is expected to end with the adoption of a communiqué and a framework of action to guide future engagement between the media and security institutions.
