🇳🇬 General Buratai To Deliver DECAN Keynote Address, Says Information Advantage Can Shape Military Outcomes

Information has become an increasingly important dimension of military effectiveness, with former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (Rtd), warning that failure to communicate military activities promptly can create information gaps that adversaries may exploit.

Desk: Defence & Security
Date: 18 September 2026
Time: 13:59 WAT
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Author: Nokai Origin

General Buratai made the observation in Abuja on Friday while receiving a delegation of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) Annual Lecture and Awards Committee, led by the association’s President, Comrade Odita Sunday, on a courtesy visit.

The former Army Chief also accepted DECAN’s invitation to deliver the keynote address at its 2026 Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony and was nominated for the association’s Distinguished Leadership Award.

Information as Part of the Battlespace

Buratai said the theme of the lecture, “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,” was particularly relevant to the contemporary security environment.

“This topic is quite contemporary, beyond kinetic warfare. Harnessing technology and intelligence-led operations for Nigeria’s national security. It's quite contemporary,” he said.

He linked the role of defence journalism to the broader information dimension of national security, arguing that the military’s ability to project its activities and provide timely information can affect how its operations and strategies are understood.

“If you don't project yourself, if you don't get your information out as timely as possible, then be reassured that even your battle will be lost. Your strategy will be ineffective, which by implication, your operational execution will also be affected,” Buratai said.

He maintained that defence journalism was particularly important because the military and security sector remained central to national security, national development, cohesion and unity.

Breaking the Information Monopoly

The former Army Chief recalled that during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army opened greater access to defence correspondents, including allowing journalists to accompany troops into operational theatres.

He said the approach helped alter the relationship between the military and the media while giving journalists first-hand exposure to military operations.

“We broke the jinx that you don't report on the military while in action in Nigeria,” he said.

According to Buratai, the policy was also driven by the need to counter Boko Haram propaganda, which he said was being used to spread the insurgents’ ideology, create fear among citizens and undermine troop morale.

He recalled an operation in which journalists accompanied a military convoy advancing towards Gamboru Ngala after troops had cleared Mafa and Dikwa.

The convoy came under attack during the advance, with one soldier killed and a general and another soldier injured, while troops subsequently captured insurgents alive and continued their movement.

Buratai said the presence of journalists meant that developments were reported from the scene rather than leaving the insurgents with exclusive control of the information narrative.

“Those issues were reported live, and we now broke the Boko Haram information and media propaganda back, so they could no longer have the monopoly to tell the world, to spread rumours,” he said.

DECAN Brings Technology and Intelligence into Focus

Earlier, DECAN President Odita Sunday said the delegation had visited Buratai to formally notify him of his nomination for the Distinguished Leadership Award and invite him to serve as Guest Lecturer at the 2026 annual lecture and awards ceremony.

Odita said Buratai’s experience in military leadership, national defence and security would contribute to discussions around emerging threats and the application of technology and intelligence in contemporary security operations.

He said the annual lecture would bring together policymakers, security professionals, journalists, academics and other stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s evolving security environment.

The DECAN President added that the awards ceremony would recognise individuals and institutions whose contributions had advanced national security, defence and responsible journalism in Nigeria.

The Former Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic appreciated the association for the nomination, describing the recognition as one he valued.

“It's a recognition that I so much cherish,” he said.

He also pledged to maintain his relationship with defence correspondents and confirmed his readiness to attend the DECAN event and deliver the keynote address.

Tags: Tukur Buratai, DECAN, Defence Journalism, Information Warfare, Military Technology, National Security

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