By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) National Security Summit has called for increased funding to the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to boost their operational capacity in the wake of the current security challenges facing the nation.
The call is contained in a Communique issued at the end of the Summit which held between June 18 and June 19 2026, in Abuja.
With the Theme:“Media And Security Agencies As Partners in Nation Building,” the summit was organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS).
“The Federal Government is encouraged to increase budgetary allocation to the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence services, and other security agencies to strengthen their operational capacity through the deployment of modern technology, intelligence systems, and enhanced logistics support,” the gathering said.
The Communique which was signed by the NUJ National President,Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, observed that Nigeria continues to face complex and multidimensional security challenges.
It also noted that sustainable security requires a whole-of-society approach, integrating security operations, strategic communication, socio-economic development, and inclusive governance.
The Summit then recommended that stakeholders, including the NDLEA, religious bodies, and educational institutions, should intensify campaigns against drug abuse and illicit trafficking,
having observed that drug abuse and illicit substance use are significant drivers of criminality and insecurity.
It observed that the media play a critical role in shaping public discourse, countering misinformation, and promoting accountability,and urged
Governments to increase funding and institutional support for state-owned media organisations to improve efficiency and professionalism, while maintaining strict adherence to ethical standards and editorial independence.
Similarly, the meeting noted that security agencies and the media share constitutional responsibilities for national stability despite their distinct institutional roles.
It also stated that many tensions between media and security institutions arise from weak communication channels and lack of structured engagement and,therefore, recommended the establishment of a structured mechanisms for regular engagement between media organisations and security agencies.
The Summit then urged security agencies to adopt transparent, timely, and coordinated communication strategies to counter misinformation and build public confidence, while recommending that media organisations should strengthen fact-checking systems and uphold high ethical standards, particularly in security-related reporting.
The Summit brought together a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including media executives, journalists, heads of security and intelligence agencies, government officials, policymakers, academics, civil society organisations, representatives of women’s groups, and development partners,the communique added.