The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has called on stakeholders across government, security agencies, the media, civil society and local communities to strengthen collaboration in building Nigeria’s resilience against conflict, misinformation and violent extremism.
Key Highlights
- Call for Collaboration: The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, urged government institutions, security agencies, the media, civil society and local communities to work together to strengthen Nigeria’s resilience against conflict, misinformation and violent extremism.
- Military Commitment: Represented by Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye, the Defence Chief reaffirmed the military’s commitment to using psychological and influence operations to promote conflict prevention, national stability and sustainable peace.
- Workshop Theme: The two-day Defence Headquarters Psychological Operations Workshop, held in Abuja from July 23–24, 2026, focused on “Building National Resilience: The Role of Influence Operations in Conflict Prevention and Stabilization.”
Represented by the Chief of Defence Training, Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye, at the opening of the two-day Defence Headquarters Psychological Operations Workshop in Abuja, General Oluyede reaffirmed the military’s commitment to using psychological and influence operations as strategic tools for conflict prevention, national stability and sustainable peace.
The workshop, held from July 23 to 24, 2026, had the theme: “Building National Resilience: The Role of Influence Operations in Conflict Prevention and Stabilization.”
According to him, influence operations have become increasingly important in addressing the root causes of conflict, countering misinformation and disinformation, strengthening public trust and promoting peaceful coexistence.
He stressed that achieving national resilience requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, government institutions, civil society organisations, the media and local communities.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Salihu Dembos, represented by the Director of News, Halima Musa, highlighted the role of strategic communication in countering hostile narratives and preserving national unity.
Also delivering a keynote address, the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Ndace, said sustainable peace depends on credible communication, public engagement and effective collaboration among stakeholders.
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He noted that influence operations remain essential for promoting trust, national cohesion and resilience.
At the end of the workshop, participants from the military, security and intelligence agencies, government institutions, academia, civil society organisations and the media adopted recommendations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s national resilience through enhanced strategic communication and coordinated influence operations.
The participants also called for stronger inter-agency collaboration, improved public engagement, institutional capacity building and the integration of influence operations into national conflict prevention and stabilisation strategies.
The workshop concluded with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to working together to combat misinformation, prevent violent extremism, strengthen public confidence in state institutions and promote lasting peace, unity and national development across Nigeria.
