The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, and the Nigerian Army have moved to deepen collaboration on peace, security and national development, with both institutions emphasising the need for stronger media-military relations.
The National President of NAWOJ, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim Kwaya-Bura, made the call on Friday, August 21, 2026, when she led a delegation of the association on a courtesy visit to the Department of Civil-Military Affairs, Army Headquarters, Abuja.
According to an official statement signed by Major Ojo Ifedayo Adenegan, Acting Director, Information Management, Army Headquarters, Department of Civil-Military Affairs, the visit was aimed at fostering stronger relations between the media and the Nigerian Army and establishing a strategic partnership to promote national security, peace and development.
Kwaya-Bura commended officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their sacrifices in defending the country and protecting its territorial integrity, stressing that journalists also had a responsibility to promote informed public understanding of the challenges confronting the nation’s security forces.
She called for greater collaboration between NAWOJ and the Army in areas including capacity building for women journalists, security awareness, responsible conflict reporting, countering misinformation, civil-military relations, peacebuilding and strategic communication.
The NAWOJ president said such collaboration would benefit both institutions and ultimately contribute to strengthening national peace and security.
She also disclosed plans by the association to institutionalise the Women in Security, Peace and Conflict platform as a forum for sustained engagement on security, peacebuilding, conflict resolution and the role of women in promoting peace and security.
Kwaya-Bura consequently sought the partnership of the Nigerian Army, particularly the Department of Civil-Military Affairs, for subsequent editions of the initiative, noting that the maiden edition was successful.
Responding, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major General Musa Awwal Etsu-Ndagi, appreciated NAWOJ for its support and continued partnership with the Nigerian Army.
Etsu-Ndagi reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to gender inclusivity, stressing that the Service was not gender-biased. He cited the appointment of a female senior officer as the Army’s spokesperson and the establishment of the Nigerian Army Women Command as evidence of the Service’s commitment to creating opportunities for women to contribute meaningfully to national defence.
The Chief of Civil-Military Affairs assured the NAWOJ delegation of the Nigerian Army’s continued partnership with the association, describing the Service as a media-friendly institution committed to maintaining mutually beneficial relations with the media.
He said sustained collaboration between the Army and the media remained essential to promoting accurate information, enhancing public understanding of military operations and strengthening civil-military relations.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major General Aminu M. Umar; Deputy Director, Civil Sponsorship, Colonel Y. Micha; representative of the Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel J. E. Nnuakalu; and other senior officers of the Department of Civil-Military Affairs.
