The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), has called for deeper institutional cooperation between the media and security agencies as part of efforts to strengthen national security, democratic governance and sustainable development.
The resolution formed the core outcome of the National Security Summit held in Abuja from June 18 to 19, 2026, under the theme, “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building.”
In a communiqué signed by the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, participants stressed that Nigeria’s security challenges require a collective response involving government institutions, security agencies, media organisations and citizens.
The summit attracted media executives, journalists, heads of security and intelligence agencies, government officials, academics, civil society groups, women organisations and development partners who examined the evolving security landscape and the role of strategic communication in promoting stability.
Delivering the welcome address, Abdullahi described the gathering as a timely intervention against threats such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, violent extremism, misinformation, communal conflicts and separatist agitations.
He maintained that national security remains a shared responsibility and urged journalists to uphold professionalism, accuracy and ethical reporting in support of national cohesion and accountability.
Chairman of the occasion and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the media and security institutions perform complementary roles in safeguarding democracy and national stability.
According to him, while security agencies are constitutionally empowered to protect lives, property and national sovereignty, the media serves as a watchdog, public educator and vital link between government and citizens.
The minister advocated stronger trust, improved professionalism and strategic communication between both sectors, while reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to intelligence driven security operations, technological innovation, military modernisation and inter agency collaboration.
In a keynote presentation, Professor Okey Ikechukwu described the media as a critical force multiplier in security operations, noting that public understanding and cooperation are indispensable to the success of modern security management.
President of the International Press Institute Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, examined the relationship between national security and press freedom, arguing that both are mutually reinforcing pillars of democracy and should be strengthened through dialogue, accountability and due process.
Also speaking, President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Aisha Ibrahim, highlighted the importance of women in peacebuilding, conflict prevention and social cohesion, while calling for greater representation of women in security governance structures.
One of the major highlights of the summit was the decision to honour the Director General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, for his role in fostering constructive engagement between security institutions and the media.
Participants noted that under Ajayi’s leadership, the DSS has demonstrated greater openness to collaboration, dialogue and mutual understanding, helping to build confidence between journalists and security stakeholders.
The summit observed that insecurity in Nigeria remains complex and multidimensional, requiring a whole of society approach that combines effective security operations, socio economic development, inclusive governance and strategic communication. It further identified misinformation, drug abuse, unemployment and poverty as major contributors to insecurity.
Participants also noted that tensions between media organisations and security agencies are often driven by weak communication channels and the absence of structured engagement mechanisms. They therefore advocated dialogue based approaches, self regulation and judicial processes in resolving disputes.
The summit resolved to establish regular engagement platforms between media organisations and security agencies, strengthen fact checking mechanisms, expand joint capacity building programmes, promote women and youth inclusion in peacebuilding initiatives, increase investment in education and social protection, support community based intelligence gathering, intensify anti drug campaigns and enhance funding for security institutions. It also urged state governments to strengthen support for state owned media while preserving editorial independence.
In conclusion, participants reaffirmed that national security remains a collective responsibility and stressed that lasting peace, stability and national development can only be achieved through partnerships built on trust, transparency, accountability, constitutional governance and unwavering commitment to the national interest.