Former Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan, and the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Olufemi Oluyede, have called for increased support for the Armed Forces of Nigeria and responsible defence reporting to strengthen the country’s national security.
They made the call in separate goodwill messages at the 2026 conference of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN), held in Abuja.
The conference, themed “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,” focused on the growing importance of technology, intelligence and strategic communication in addressing the country’s security challenges.
Lawan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Defence, commended the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their sacrifices in safeguarding the country, stressing that national security should not be left to uniformed personnel alone.
He also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making more resources available to the military and other security agencies, expressing confidence that Nigeria was making progress in addressing its security challenges.
According to him, although the country has yet to achieve its desired level of security, the sacrifices of troops deserve greater recognition and sustained support from all Nigerians.
The former Senate President also commended defence correspondents for informing citizens about military operations, the sacrifices of troops and the collective responsibility of Nigerians in addressing insecurity.
He said, “The National Assembly remained committed to providing the necessary resources for the Armed Forces and other security agencies, noting that security remained a priority in the discharge of the government’s constitutional responsibilities.”
Lawan disclosed that in his more than 27 years in the National Assembly, he had not seen a request from the executive for the Armed Forces and other security agencies that was not approved.
He, however, advocated increased investment in military equipment and platforms as government revenues improve, suggesting that a specific percentage of national resources could be dedicated to strengthening the country’s security architecture.
He also proposed that defence and security budgets be placed on first-line charge to address challenges associated with delayed budget releases and ensure the timely availability of operational resources.
Lawan maintained that although Nigeria continued to face insurgency, banditry and other criminal activities, the security situation had improved compared with previous years, urging Nigerians not to dismiss the country’s security efforts.
In his goodwill message, CDS General Oluyede, who spoke through the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, described the conference theme as timely and reflective of the changing nature of modern warfare.
Oluyede said, “Contemporary conflicts were increasingly determined by superior information, real-time intelligence, technological capabilities, cyber resilience and the ability to manage the information environment, rather than firepower alone.”
He highlighted ongoing efforts by the Armed Forces to strengthen non-kinetic capabilities through the Defence Space Administration, the expansion of modular earth observation outposts in operational theatres, the establishment of the Defence Space School and the integration of artificial intelligence and advanced surveillance systems into military operations.
According to the CDS, the initiatives are designed to enhance intelligence gathering, improve operational decision-making, protect citizens and strengthen national security.
However, he warned against the growing misuse of artificial intelligence to create fake videos, manipulated images, cloned voices, and false operational claims targeting the military.
He said, “Such materials could mislead the public, incite fear, undermine confidence in the Armed Forces and weaken the relationship between the military and civilians.”
Describing deepfakes as instruments of psychological warfare, Oluyede noted that a single AI-generated video could undermine months of operational gains, endanger troops and trigger panic in affected communities.
He consequently urged DECAN members to prioritise accuracy over speed by verifying sensitive operational information with the Defence Headquarters before publication.
The CDS also called on defence correspondents to use their platforms to educate Nigerians on identifying synthetic media and promptly debunking fake content attributed to the Armed Forces.
He further urged journalists to embrace intelligence-led reporting that goes beyond sensational headlines to promote informed public understanding, strengthen joint military operations and counter extremist propaganda.
He assured DECAN of the Defence Headquarters’ continued support and open-door policy for timely and accurate information sharing, while commending the association for promoting professionalism, patriotism and partnership in defence reporting.
DECAN President called on the Federal Government to strengthen intelligence gathering, cybersecurity and the deployment of modern technology to address the country’s evolving security challenges.
The president said national security could no longer be defined solely by activities on traditional battlefields, noting that threats had expanded into cyberspace, digital platforms, information networks, financial systems and other technological environments.
According to the president, terrorist organisations and criminal networks are increasingly exploiting technology for communication, recruitment, coordination and other criminal activities, making intelligence gathering and analysis more critical to national security.
The president urged Nigeria to strengthen its capacity to detect threats early, analyse information accurately, prevent attacks and respond effectively, stressing the need to move from a predominantly reactive security approach to one focused on prevention and intelligence-led operations.
The DECAN president also highlighted the importance of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, data analytics, satellite surveillance, unmanned systems and secure communications, in enhancing the operational capabilities of security agencies.
However, the president cautioned that technology alone could not guarantee improved security without competent personnel, adequate training, effective institutions, sound policies and stronger inter-agency cooperation.
The president further called for improved intelligence sharing among security agencies, noting that the country’s security challenges often require coordinated responses involving the military, police, intelligence services, cybersecurity experts and financial institutions.
On the recent Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash, which claimed the lives of personnel and passengers, the DECAN president expressed condolences to the bereaved families and the Nigerian Air Force.
The president described the incident as a painful reminder of the risks associated with military aviation and called for a thorough and professional investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and identify lessons that could improve aviation safety, operational procedures and personnel protection.
The association also expressed solidarity with the leadership and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, urging that the sacrifices of those who died in service should lead to institutional learning and renewed commitment to safeguarding military personnel.
Addressing the role of the media in national security, the DECAN president said defence correspondents had a responsibility not only to report events but also to help Nigerians understand the changing nature of security threats.
The president stressed the need for accurate, responsible and professional reporting, particularly at a time when misinformation could spread rapidly, adding that accuracy must take precedence over speed.
While acknowledging the need to respect legitimate operational sensitivities, the president warned that national security should not be used to suppress legitimate journalism and accountability.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to professional defence journalism and constructive engagement with security institutions, promising to sustain platforms for dialogue among the military, security agencies, policymakers, technology experts, academics and the media.
It also pledged to encourage its members to deepen their understanding of emerging technologies, intelligence, cybersecurity and modern warfare, while recognising individuals and institutions whose contributions to national security and professional journalism merit commendation.
The DECAN president urged Nigeria to invest in intelligence, technology, cybersecurity, human capital, research, innovation and inter-agency cooperation to prepare for future security challenges.
The president further emphasised that the deployment of emerging technologies must be guided by law, ethics, accountability and respect for human dignity.
The address concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between the security community and the media to build a security architecture that is intelligence-driven, technology-enabled, professionally managed and accountable to the Nigerian people.
