🇳🇬 Guarding Nigeria’s Unity Through Truth and Security: Voices from the NCTC Training Workshop

Top government leaders stressed the vital role of accurate information and coordinated communication in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and disinformation, with emphasis on rejecting fake news, hate speech, and divisive narratives to promote peace and unity.

Zig Diaries National Security
Date: Monday, 11 August 2025
Time: 12:00 WAT
Location: 📍 Abuja, Nigeria

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, alongside leaders from the National Counter Terrorism Centre and Voice of Nigeria, called for strengthened collaboration between information officers and security agencies to counter disinformation and terrorism.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris while declaring a training workshop organized for Information Officers by the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, in Abuja, Nigeria's capital said security and information are inseparable pillars of Nigeria’s peace and progress. 

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Mr. OGBODO, CHINASA the minister praised the dedication of journalists who serve both as civil servants and storytellers of the nation’s journey under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

“Without accurate information, fear and division take root. Without security, freedom of expression cannot thrive,” he said. The Minister emphasized the dual responsibility borne by members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Federal Information Chapel and the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), who must together reject fake news, hate speech, and divisive narratives to promote peace and unity.

He urged all Nigerians, especially journalists and security professionals, to unite in safeguarding the minds and lives of citizens. “Your role is indispensable. You are not just chroniclers of events; you are shapers of perception and champions of truth,” he added.

The National Coordinator of the NCTC under the Office of the National Security Adviser, Major General Adamu Laka, who welcomed the participants to the workshop, themed “Empowering the Messenger: Innovative Approaches to Public Information in the Face of Security Challenges”, outlined the critical role of public information officers as frontline defenders in the battle for hearts and minds, especially in an era of rapid digital disruption and complex security threats.

Major General Laka highlighted that the workshop is part of NCTC’s broader Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach to build a resilient, informed nation. The training seeks to equip information managers with innovative tools to counter violent extremist narratives and to foster synergy among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. 

He also pointed to the Strategic Communication Inter-Agency Policy Committee as a vital platform for harmonized messaging aligned with Nigeria’s National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism.

The Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, recounted his 32 years as a frontline military reporter and the profound responsibility of information officers in shaping public trust. 

“We are guardians of the public trust. People expect truth from us,” he said, underscoring that responsible journalism is a national duty that must uphold unity and stability.

Mallam Ndace praised the NCTC’s initiatives and expressed Voice of Nigeria’s commitment to partnering in delivering transparent, accurate, and timely information to counter false narratives. 

He stressed that every information ambassador must be conscious of the impact of their words on Nigeria’s unity, warning against reports that could sow division.

The Director General also called for respect towards security agencies and recognized their sacrifices, urging journalists to balance criticism with support to protect national instruments of power from being weakened by criminal actors.

As the workshop commenced, the voices of these leaders collectively reinforced a clear message: In the fight against terrorism and disinformation, collaboration between information professionals and security agencies is vital to protect Nigeria’s peace, democracy, and unity.

Fact-check & Background Context:
The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) is Nigeria’s leading agency coordinating efforts against terrorism and violent extremism. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Federal Information Chapel represents journalists within the Ministry of Information, supporting government communication. Recent years have seen increased emphasis on strategic communication to counter disinformation and propaganda linked to security threats, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s focus on national security and unity.

🏷️ Tags: Nigeria, NCTC, National Security, Journalism, Information Officers, Counter Terrorism, Disinformation, National Unity

#Nigeria #CounterTerrorism #InformationSecurity #NCTC #Journalism #NationalUnity #Peace