The FG is considering plans to include journalists in the force to increase transparency in security operations

The Federal Government is considering a policy allowing journalists to accompany military personnel on certain operations as part of efforts to strengthen public understanding of Nigeria’s security challenges and improve the quality of conflict reporting.

The proposal was unveiled on Thursday by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, at the National Security Summit hosted by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja.

Represented by his Special Adviser, Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole, the minister said the initiative was part of a broader strategy to deepen cooperation between the media and security agencies while providing Nigerians with a clearer picture of conditions on the frontlines.

According to Musa, the continuously evolving nature of modern warfare has made managing public information and communications an important component of national security, thus placing the media at the center of efforts to maintain public trust and national stability.

He noted that in today’s security environment, the battle is no longer fought solely with weapons, but also through narratives and public perception, making responsible journalism an indispensable partner in safeguarding the nation.

“More than ever, the media is not only a supporter; it is also a stabilizer of government.

“The Ministry of Defense is exploring arrangements to embed journalists into military units during operations to enable more accurate reporting and a deeper understanding of operational realities,” he said.

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The minister explained that providing journalists with limited access to operational environments would help bridge the information gap that often exists between security agencies and the public, while ensuring that reports from conflict zones are based on direct observation and not speculation.

He added that the proposed arrangement is intended to encourage greater transparency and foster stronger ties between the military and the media.

Musa stressed that the effectiveness of security operations should not be measured only by territorial gains or success on the battlefield, but also by the level of public trust in security institutions.

He argued that when the public is adequately informed about the realities faced by security forces and agencies, confidence in the government’s efforts to tackle insecurity is likely to increase.

The Minister of Defense further stated that closer collaboration between journalists and the military would contribute to the dissemination of more accurate information, reduce misinformation and strengthen public support for ongoing security operations.

This proposal comes at a time when Nigeria continues to face various security threats, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime in various regions of the country.

Over the years, security agencies have often come under criticism for limited access to operations rooms, a situation that critics say sometimes creates space for misinformation, conflicting narratives and public skepticism regarding development in conflict-affected areas.

If implemented, this initiative could mark a significant shift in the relationship between the media and the military, giving journalists unprecedented access to security operations, while offering the public a more direct understanding of the realities faced by soldiers on the front lines.