By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) will convene a two-day National Security Summit in Abuja on June 18 and 19, 2026, bringing together top government officials, security chiefs, media executives and civil society stakeholders to strengthen collaboration between the media and security agencies in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
The summit, themed “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building,” is expected to serve as a high-level platform for dialogue on improving cooperation between journalists and security operatives in safeguarding national stability, managing information during crises and enhancing public trust in state institutions.
In a statement co-signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Organising Committee, Comrade Abimbola Oyetunde and Comrade Abu Nmodu respectively, the NUJ said the summit comes at a critical time when Nigeria continues to confront complex security threats, the spread of misinformation and growing public anxiety.
According to the statement, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, will attend the event as Special Guests of Honour, while the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, will chair the occasion, while the National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, will host participants.
The union stressed that structured engagement between the media and security institutions has become essential to improving crisis communication, preventing panic, combating fake news and ensuring citizens receive accurate, timely and responsible information.
Participants at the summit will deliberate on critical issues, including responsible reporting of security operations and conflicts, access to credible information and official briefings, management of sensitive information without jeopardising security operations, and the protection and safety of journalists covering security-related assignments.
Other areas of focus include strategies for countering disinformation, propaganda and hate speech, as well as measures to build mutual trust and respect between journalists and security personnel.
The programme will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, breakout sessions, interactive engagements with security chiefs and experience-sharing sessions by frontline reporters covering security beats across the country.
At the end of the summit, participants are expected to adopt a communiqué and agree on a framework for sustained engagement between the media and security agencies.
The NUJ reaffirmed its commitment to defending press freedom, promoting professional ethics and ensuring the safety and welfare of journalists. The union also maintained that while the media has a constitutional responsibility to hold those in authority accountable, it must work constructively with security agencies to protect lives, preserve national unity and strengthen democratic governance.
As Nigeria’s umbrella body for practising journalists, the NUJ said it remains committed to championing initiatives that promote professional excellence while contributing to peace, security and national development.
