Media, Diplomats Unite to Combat Disinformation in Nigeria, As Tuggar Advocates Stronger Media Partnerships
Oru Leonard
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has called for stronger media partnerships to tackle disinformation and promote accurate public discourse. This call was made at the maiden International Conference on Diplomacy and Security organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) in Abuja.
Speaking through his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Mr Alkassim Abdulkadir, Strategic Communication*: Tuggar emphasized the need for proactive approaches in combating disinformation, stating that reactive media practices are no longer sufficient in today’s digital age.
DICAN President, Mr. Idehai Frederick, highlighted the importance of equipping journalists with tools for factual, ethical, and conflict-sensitive reporting.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to meaningful initiatives that fight disinformation and promote factual storytelling,” Tuggar said, adding that strategic communication is essential for protecting Nigeria’s image and strengthening trust at home and abroad.
The conference, themed “Nigeria’s 4D Foreign Policy Strategy Amidst Global Security Challenges, Strategic Misperceptions, and the Age of Disinformation”, gathered diplomats, defence chiefs, scholars and media professionals to explore the critical roles of diplomacy, intelligence and journalism in today’s high-stakes global environment.
DICAN President, Mr. Idehai Frederick, highlighted the importance of equipping journalists with tools for factual, ethical, and conflict-sensitive reporting.
Representing the Chief of Defence Staff, Rear Admiral I.M. Haruna echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of consistent journalist-diplomat partnerships in tackling transnational threats and misinformation.
The Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, represented by Mr Abdulrahman Balogun, also called on journalists to guide Nigerians abroad with verified information. “Disinformation weakens trust. That’s why strategic media engagement is key, especially when it involves our citizens overseas,” she said.
Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Director of the International Centre at the University of Abuja, in his key note presentation, Highlighted the media’s dual capacity to either promote peace or fuel instability, depending on how information is managed.
The maiden DICAN conference themed, “Nigeria’s 4Ds Foreign Policy Strategy Amidst Global Security Challenges, Strategic Misperceptions, and the Age of Disinformation: The Role of Diplomacy, Intelligence, and Media in Shaping National and Global Stability, supports the institutionalisation of regular journalist-diplomat dialogues, fact-checking alliances, and joint training platforms to safeguard the nation’s information ecosystem.
Over fifty diplomats and stakeholders were in attendance.
