By Sharon Akuboh | Abuja
As Nigeria continues to grapple with complex security challenges ranging from insurgency and banditry to cybercrime, communal conflicts and humanitarian crises, the conversation on national security is gradually shifting beyond military operations to a more inclusive approach that recognises the role of citizens, institutions and women as indispensable partners in peacebuilding.
It is this renewed vision that is driving the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) as it prepares to host the maiden edition of the Women in Security Summit and Awards (WINSEC 2026), a landmark initiative designed to celebrate excellence while encouraging collaboration among critical stakeholders responsible for safeguarding the nation.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing in Abuja, NAWOJ National Chairperson, Hajia Aishatu Ibrahim, described the summit as more than an event. According to her, WINSEC represents a national movement aimed at recognising courage, professionalism and service while creating a sustainable platform for dialogue on contemporary security challenges.
Scheduled for Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, the summit is expected to assemble an impressive gathering of policymakers, military and paramilitary officers, intelligence professionals, law enforcement agencies, traditional rulers, members of the diplomatic community, civil society organisations, academics, development partners, private sector leaders and media practitioners.
For NAWOJ, the initiative reflects an understanding that security can no longer be viewed solely as the responsibility of government and security agencies. Rather, it requires collective ownership, community participation and strategic partnerships capable of strengthening national resilience.
Hajia Ibrahim noted that women have consistently made remarkable contributions to peacebuilding, humanitarian interventions, intelligence gathering, conflict resolution and community development, yet many of these contributions remain largely unrecognised. WINSEC, she explained, seeks to bridge that gap by placing deserving individuals and institutions in the national spotlight.
Beyond honouring excellence, the summit is expected to stimulate conversations on emerging security threats, promote gender inclusion in leadership positions within the security architecture and encourage stronger cooperation between the media and security institutions.
One of the defining moments of the event will be the presentation of awards to carefully selected Nigerians whose outstanding contributions have strengthened national security, public safety, humanitarian services, strategic leadership, community policing and responsible media advocacy.
The NAWOJ National Chairperson was emphatic that the honours are neither political nor popularity contests.
Instead, she explained, the awards are rooted in merit and recognise integrity, patriotism, professionalism, courage, dedication and exceptional service to humanity. According to her, celebrating excellence today inspires future generations to serve with greater commitment and responsibility.
The media, she added, occupies a unique position within Nigeria’s security ecosystem. While journalists are expected to uphold press freedom, they also have a responsibility to combat misinformation, promote peaceful coexistence and provide accurate information capable of strengthening public confidence during periods of uncertainty.
Through WINSEC, NAWOJ hopes to deepen trust and mutual respect between journalists and security institutions while encouraging responsible reporting that supports national stability without compromising professional ethics.
The summit also reflects the growing recognition that women are no longer peripheral actors in security discourse but central contributors to policy development, operational effectiveness and community engagement. Across Nigeria, women continue to lead humanitarian responses, mediate conflicts, provide intelligence through community networks and champion initiatives that foster peace and social cohesion.
By creating a dedicated platform to celebrate these achievements, NAWOJ is expanding the national conversation from traditional security approaches to one that embraces inclusion, innovation and collaborative leadership.
Hajia Ibrahim expressed appreciation to security agencies, development partners, sponsors, members of the organising committee and supporters whose commitment has transformed the vision into reality. She equally appealed to corporate organisations, public institutions and patriotic Nigerians yet to identify with the initiative to lend their support towards institutionalising WINSEC as an enduring national platform.
As anticipation builds ahead of the inaugural summit, expectations are equally rising that the gathering will not merely produce awards and commendations but practical recommendations capable of strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture through collaboration, professionalism and inclusive leadership.
Ultimately, WINSEC 2026 represents a bold statement that recognising those who serve the nation selflessly is not merely an act of appreciation—it is an investment in a safer, more united and more prosperous Nigeria.
For Weekenders Magazine, the maiden Women in Security Summit and Awards stands as a timely reminder that sustainable peace is achieved not only through force of arms, but through partnerships built on trust, integrity, recognition of excellence and the collective determination of citizens committed to securing the future of the nation.