The Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) has called for expanded journalist participation in naval operations, exercises and strategic maritime engagements, arguing that greater field access is essential to improving the quality, accuracy and credibility of security reporting.


Desk: Defence & Security

Date: Tuesday, 23 June 2026

Time: 21:58 WAT

Location: Abuja, Nigeria


The position emerged during an engagement between the newly elected DECAN leadership and the Directorate of Naval Information in Abuja, where the association advocated stronger institutional collaboration between defence correspondents and the Nigerian Navy.

Leading the delegation, DECAN President Odita Sunday said defence journalists serve as a critical bridge between the military and the public, but noted that many operational achievements receive limited visibility because reporters often lack direct exposure to military activities.




According to him, journalist-embedding programmes provide firsthand understanding of operational realities, enabling more responsible and informed reporting on national security issues.

Drawing from previous participation in naval and multinational exercises, including Exercise Farauta, Exercise Prosperity, Obangame Express and naval vessel reception missions, Odita argued that direct operational exposure helps journalists better understand the demands placed on military personnel and improves public communication of security issues.


Why Access Matters For Security Reporting




The call reflects a broader debate within defence journalism over how access shapes public understanding of military operations.

Embedded reporting allows journalists to observe activities directly rather than relying solely on official statements, creating opportunities for deeper context, improved accuracy and more informed public discourse around security challenges.

For military institutions, such access can also strengthen public confidence by providing greater visibility into operational efforts and strategic objectives.


Navy Signals Openness To Wider Engagement




Responding during the meeting, Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, described defence correspondents as important partners in shaping public understanding of military activities.

Naval leadership acknowledged concerns regarding broader participation in embedding opportunities and indicated that efforts would be made to improve inclusiveness as preparations continue for upcoming regional maritime engagements involving several West African countries.

The Navy also signalled plans to deepen engagement with defence correspondents through periodic interactions and enhanced communication channels aimed at improving information flow and professional cooperation.

The discussion highlights a growing recognition within both media and military circles that accurate security communication depends not only on operational success but also on informed reporting capable of translating complex security developments for public understanding.

🏷️ Tags: Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Navy, Maritime Security, Defence Journalism, Media Embedding, Security Communication, Military Media Relations, Zig Diaries Press

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