The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s (AFN) commitment to deploying psychological and influence operations as strategic tools for conflict prevention, national stabilisation and sustainable peace, stressing that national resilience can only be achieved through collective action by all segments of society.
According to an official statement signed by the Director Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the CDS made the commitment at the opening of the two-day Defence Headquarters Psychological Operations Workshop held in Abuja from 23 to 24 July 2026.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Training, Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye, General Oluyede described influence operations as an indispensable component of modern security strategy, particularly in countering misinformation and disinformation, strengthening public trust and fostering peaceful coexistence.
He called for a coordinated whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to national security, urging government institutions, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, the media and local communities to work together in building a resilient nation.
“Building national resilience requires a coordinated whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving government institutions, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, the media and local communities,” the CDS said.
Speaking on the workshop’s theme, “Building National Resilience: The Role of Influence Operations in Conflict Prevention and Stabilization,” General Oluyede said psychological and influence operations have become essential in addressing the root causes of conflict and promoting national stability.
“Influence operations have become indispensable in addressing the root causes of conflict, countering misinformation and disinformation, strengthening public trust and fostering peaceful coexistence,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Dr. Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, represented by the Director of News, Hajiya Halima Musa, underscored the critical role of strategic communication in countering hostile narratives and safeguarding national unity.
In his keynote address, the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, emphasised that lasting peace depends on credible communication and broad-based stakeholder engagement.
“Sustainable peace requires credible communication, public engagement and collaboration among all stakeholders. Influence operations remain critical in promoting trust, national cohesion and resilience,” Ndace said.
The workshop attracted participants from the Armed Forces, security and intelligence agencies, government institutions, academia, civil society organisations and the media, who deliberated on strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s resilience against emerging security threats.
At the end of the two-day engagement, participants adopted key recommendations aimed at enhancing strategic communication and institutionalising coordinated influence operations as part of Nigeria’s conflict prevention and stabilisation framework. They also called for stronger inter-agency collaboration, improved public engagement and sustained capacity building to effectively counter misinformation and violent extremism.
The workshop concluded with stakeholders renewing their commitment to working together to strengthen public confidence in state institutions, promote national unity and support lasting peace and development across the country.
