CDS Urges Stronger Collaboration to Build National Resilience, Counter Misinformation

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, the media, civil society and communities to strengthen Nigeria’s resilience against conflict, misinformation and other threats to national stability.

General Oluyede made the call at the Defence Headquarters Psychological Operations Workshop held in Abuja from 23 to 24 July 2026. He was represented by the Chief of Defence Training, Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye, at the two-day workshop themed, “Building National Resilience: The Role of Influence Operations in Conflict Prevention and Stabilization.”

In a statement released on Friday by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the CDS said psychological and influence operations had become important strategic tools for addressing the underlying causes of conflict, countering misinformation and disinformation, strengthening public trust and promoting peaceful coexistence. He stressed that building national resilience requires a coordinated whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, the media and local communities.

Also speaking at the workshop, the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Dr Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, represented by the Director of News, Hajiya Halima Musa, highlighted the importance of strategic communication in countering hostile narratives and protecting national unity. The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, also stressed the need for credible communication, sustained public engagement and collaboration among stakeholders to promote trust, national cohesion and lasting peace.

At the end of the workshop, participants from the Armed Forces, security and intelligence agencies, government institutions, academia, civil society and the media recommended stronger interagency collaboration, institutional capacity building and improved public engagement.

They also called for the integration of influence operations into national conflict-prevention and stabilisation efforts, while committing to closer cooperation in tackling misinformation, preventing violent extremism and strengthening public confidence in state institutions.