The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has raised concerns that unchecked access by foreign entities to Nigeria’s media landscape is emerging as a factor exacerbating the country’s security challenges.
Speaking on Friday in Abuja during the second day of the National Security Summit jointly organised by the NUJ and the Department of State Services (DSS), the union’s National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya-Abdullahi, called for greater oversight of foreign participation in the media sector.
The summit, themed: ‘Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building’, brought together journalists, security experts and former military spokespersons to explore strategies for strengthening cooperation in tackling insecurity.
Yahaya-Abdullahi urged media practitioners to prioritise national security and development in their reporting, stressing that journalists have a crucial role in protecting the country’s interests. He expressed concern over the growing presence of foreign media organisations and actors in Nigeria, noting that the trend requires clear regulations and closer scrutiny because of its potential security implications.
The NUJ president also highlighted malnutrition as a critical but often neglected security issue. According to him, Nigeria remains among the countries most affected by malnutrition, with long-term consequences for national stability. He explained that malnutrition can lead to stunted growth and impaired cognitive development among children, ultimately affecting the nation’s future productivity and social cohesion.
Yahaya-Abdullahi further emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between journalists and security agencies in shaping security narratives and fostering national unity.
Also speaking at the summit, International Press Institute (IPI) President, Musikilu Mojeed, advocated dialogue and institutional engagement as the best approach to resolving conflicts between the media and government agencies.
He cited a previous misunderstanding involving the DSS and the Lagos State House of Assembly, which he said was successfully resolved through communication and clarification rather than intimidation or arrests, noting that while disagreements between the media and security agencies are inevitable, regular engagement can prevent such issues from escalating into crises.
Former Director of Defence Information, retired Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, also underscored the importance of dialogue, recalling an operation in which newspaper distribution vehicles were searched following intelligence reports that terrorists might use them to transport weapons. He said the controversy generated by the exercise was resolved within a day through discussions between military authorities and media stakeholders.
The summit was attended by former NUJ Presidents: Chris Isiguzo, Abdulwaheed Odusile and Lanre Ogundipe, as well as past leaders of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and the association’s National Chairperson, Hajiya A’isha Kwaya-Bura.
