The Defence Adviser at the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom, Brigadier General Habib Baba Manu (OON), has commended the Nigerian Army for strengthening its strategic communication and information management capabilities amid the growing challenges posed by misinformation, disinformation and emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI).
A statement signed by Lieutenant Abubakar Musa Abdullahi Headquarters, Directorate of Army Public Relations said Brigadier General Manu gave the commendation when a delegation of officers from the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR), led by Lieutenant Colonel Ishaku Gaji Takwa, paid a courtesy visit to the Defence Section of the Nigerian High Commission in London.
The Defence Adviser observed that advances in technology have significantly transformed the contemporary information environment, creating opportunities for improved communication while also accelerating the spread of false and misleading information. He therefore stressed the importance of timely, credible and professional military communication in sustaining public confidence and supporting military operations.
He noted that the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Army is having a positive impact across its formations, units and departments. According to him, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has continued to drive the modernisation, transformation and expansion of the Army in line with his Command Philosophy, with particular attention to operational effectiveness, technological advancement, personnel development, strategic communication and civil-military relations.
Brigadier General Manu further stated that armies across the world are increasingly leveraging emerging technologies to enhance the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities, adding that the Nigerian Army must continue to adapt to developments shaping the modern operating environment. He noted that the Army’s bilateral engagements with partner nations provide valuable opportunities to acquire knowledge, exchange expertise and explore technologies capable of enhancing operational effectiveness.
The Defence Adviser also commended the COAS for investing in the professional development of Army Public Relations officers through specialised courses, seminars and international engagements. He described information warfare as an increasingly important dimension of contemporary asymmetric warfare, stressing the need for military public relations practitioners to continually develop the skills required to operate effectively in a rapidly evolving information environment.
Earlier, the leader of the DAPR delegation, Lieutenant Colonel Ishaku Gaji Takwa, stated that the team’s visit to the United Kingdom was in connection with a one-week professional training seminar organised in London by the Board of Directors of the Commonwealth Public Relations Congress.
Lieutenant Colonel Takwa expressed appreciation to the COAS for approving the participation of DAPR officers in the programme and the Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, for facilitating the training, noting that the seminar provided an opportunity to broaden professional knowledge, exchange experiences and deepen understanding of contemporary strategic communication practices.
He added that the initiative underscored the Nigerian Army’s recognition of strategic communication and information management as critical enablers of military operations, particularly in an era when activities in the information domain can significantly influence public perception and the operational environment.
The visit provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange perspectives on strategic communication, emerging technologies and the evolving role of military public relations in supporting the Nigerian Army’s transformation and operational objectives.
