The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) will convene a two-day National Security Summit in Abuja on June 18 and 19, 2026, aimed at strengthening collaboration between the media and security agencies in the interest of national peace, security and development.
The summit, themed “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building,” is expected to bring together top government officials, security chiefs, media executives, editors, civil society organisations and other critical stakeholders from across the country.
Chairman of the Organising Committee, Comrade Abimbola Oyetunde, said the summit is designed as a high-level platform for constructive dialogue on improving cooperation between journalists and security operatives in safeguarding national security, managing information during crises and enhancing public trust in institutions.
According to Oyetunde, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, will attend as Special Guests of Honour, while the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, is expected to deliver the keynote address.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, will chair the occasion, while the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, will serve as host.
The organisers noted that the summit comes at a critical period when Nigeria continues to confront complex security challenges, the spread of misinformation and rising public anxiety over security concerns.
They emphasized that structured engagement between the media and security agencies has become essential for effective crisis communication, combating fake news, preventing panic and ensuring citizens receive accurate and timely information.
Key areas of discussion at the summit will include responsible reporting of security operations and conflicts, access to credible information and official briefings, management of sensitive information without jeopardising security operations, safety and protection of journalists covering security matters, and strategies for countering disinformation, propaganda and hate speech.
Participants will also examine ways of fostering mutual trust, understanding and respect between journalists and security personnel.
The two-day event will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, breakout sessions, experience-sharing by frontline reporters and interactive engagements with heads of security agencies.
At the end of the summit, participants are expected to adopt a communiqué and develop a framework to guide future cooperation between the media and security institutions.
The NUJ reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom, professional ethics and the welfare of journalists, stressing that while the media must continue to hold public institutions accountable, it also has a responsibility to work constructively with security agencies in protecting lives, preserving national unity and strengthening democratic governance.
As the umbrella body for practising journalists in Nigeria, the union said it remains committed to promoting professional excellence and supporting initiatives that contribute to peace, security and national development.
