By Nkechi Eze
The Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) has called for an integrated national crisis communication framework to strengthen inter-agency collaboration, combat misinformation and artificial intelligence (AI)-generated deepfakes, and enhance public trust ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Centre’s Second National Symposium on Crisis Communication, held from October 27 to 28, 2026, at the Nigerian Air Force Club in Kaduna State, with the theme, “Inter-Agency Collaboration, Public Trust and Cyber Threat Management in Crisis Communication.”
According to an official statement signed by Commodore Kabir Aliyu (Rtd.) on behalf of the Centre for Crisis Communication, the symposium brought together more than 150 participants from the military, security and intelligence agencies, emergency response institutions, government establishments, academia, the media and regulatory bodies to deliberate on improving crisis communication and national security.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of CCC, Major General Chris Olukolade (Rtd.), highlighted the importance of effective crisis communication to national security and public safety, particularly as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections.
Also speaking at the event, Kaduna State Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, who declared the symposium open on behalf of Governor Uba Sani, described misinformation and disinformation as emerging national security threats and called for sensitisation programmes targeting political actors.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Kabiru Adamu, Managing Director of Beacon Security and Innovation Limited, represented by Mr. Samuel Aruwan, underscored Nigeria’s complex security challenges and the need for coordinated communication and stronger collaboration among security agencies.
The communiqué identified institutional rivalry, poor inter-agency coordination, delayed information-sharing and conflicting public statements as major challenges undermining crisis management and public confidence.
To address these shortcomings, participants recommended the establishment of an Integrated National Crisis Information Architecture (INCIA), supported by standard operating procedures, clearly defined institutional responsibilities, designated lead agencies for emergencies and secure information-sharing mechanisms.
They also called for consideration of a Homeland Security Academy or inter-agency training centre, alongside improved early-warning systems, joint threat monitoring, regular inter-agency exercises and stronger telecommunications infrastructure.
The participants further stressed the need to integrate strategic communication into security planning and ensure that designated spokespersons have timely access to verified information, subject to operational security requirements.
On emerging technological threats, the symposium called for functional systems to detect and counter misinformation, disinformation campaigns, AI-generated deepfakes and cyber threats.
It also advocated digital literacy, responsible use of emerging technologies and appropriate regulatory frameworks that safeguard national security without undermining freedom of expression, fundamental rights and due process.
To improve consistency in public communication among security and emergency response institutions, participants recommended the revival of the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA).
They further urged the CCC and relevant stakeholders to organise sensitisation programmes for political actors, journalists and media editors ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The communiqué emphasised the need for stronger cooperation between security agencies and the media, noting that transparency and public interest must be balanced with professional ethics and legitimate national security considerations.
On sustainable peace, participants advocated a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving security agencies, government institutions, media organisations, technology providers, civil society groups and local communities.
They maintained that military operations alone cannot guarantee lasting peace, calling for dialogue, reconciliation and community engagement to complement security interventions. The participants cited the Kaduna Peace Model as an example of an approach that could support sustainable peace.
The symposium also identified professional conduct, transparency, accountability and credible communication as essential elements for building public trust, encouraging community cooperation and strengthening national resilience.
The Centre reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening professional capacity, promoting institutional cooperation and advancing strategic communication in support of national security, public safety and sustainable peace.
It urged relevant stakeholders to translate the symposium’s recommendations into measurable outcomes, stressing that effective crisis communication, inter-agency collaboration and public trust remain indispensable to Nigeria’s national security and democratic resilience.
