By Sharon Akuboh
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has urged Nigerian journalists and media organizations to adopt a more strategic and proactive approach to communication, particularly in the context of national security and foreign diplomacy.
Ambassador Tuggar made the call in Abuja while declaring open the maiden International Conference on Diplomacy and Security organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN).
The conference brought together key stakeholders from the diplomatic community, security sector, academia, and the media to discuss global security threats, strategic diplomacy, and the growing challenge of disinformation in the digital age.
Represented by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Mr. Alkassim Abdulkadir, the Minister emphasized that reactive media responses are no longer sufficient in an era where disinformation and geopolitical propaganda shape global narratives.
“Nigeria remains committed to supporting all meaningful initiatives that seek to combat disinformation and enhance the integrity of the information space,” Tuggar stated. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognizes the crucial role of the media in shaping perceptions and advancing the country’s diplomatic objectives. That is why we are open to continued partnership with DICAN to promote professionalism, factual reporting, and capacity building for diplomatic correspondents.”
He noted that deliberate investment in strategic communication would not only strengthen Nigeria’s image internationally but also foster trust among citizens, development partners, and the diplomatic community.
The DICAN conference, which marks a significant step in institutionalizing dialogue between journalists, diplomats, and security experts, featured paper presentations and high-level panel discussions on topics ranging from global conflict trends to the role of diplomacy in mitigating hybrid threats.
President of DICAN, Mr. Idehai Frederick, in his remarks, said the event was organized in response to the growing need for journalists covering diplomatic and security beats to be adequately equipped to report accurately and responsibly in an increasingly complex global environment.
The conference ended with a call for the institutionalization of media-diplomatic engagement platforms, joint trainings, and a fact-checking task force to address the manipulation of information threatening national and international peace.