By Nkechi Eze
Ten years since its first broadcast, the Armed Forces of Nigeria Radio 107.7 FM has evolved into a critical pillar of national communication, far beyond its initial scope as a military channel. It has grown into a trusted national platform for strategic messaging, civic education, cultural promotion, and public engagement. Its tenth anniversary celebration, held in Abuja, provided an opportunity to reflect on this extraordinary transformation, reaffirm its mission, and envision new frontiers for greater national impact.
Originally transmitting from within the Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja, the station has steadily expanded its influence to reach communities in every part of Nigeria, urban and rural alike. Through news, music, military awareness campaigns, and culturally grounded programming, it has served as a powerful medium for connecting the Armed Forces with the people they serve.
The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, was represented at the event by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, who conveyed a powerful message of reform, inclusion, and forward-looking innovation. He praised the station for remaining relevant over the years and called on it to deepen its digital transformation, adopt more indigenous language content, and engage meaningfully with citizens, especially those in vulnerable or underserved areas, veterans, and frontline personnel whose security needs deserve more visibility.
“There is a need to amplify the voices of ordinary Nigerians whose security concerns deserve to be heard and addressed,” the Minister said. “We must ensure that from the cities to the most remote villages, no voice is lost and no signal is out of reach.”
Describing Armed Forces Radio as an indispensable institution, he commended the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Defence Department of Civil-Military Affairs, and the entire 107.7 FM team for sustaining its operations through a decade marked by creativity, perseverance, and professionalism. “You have transformed this platform from a transmitter into a movement,” he noted, applauding the station’s integration of livestreaming, social media, and podcasting as signs of bold adaptation.
In his address, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, recounted the station’s modest origins and praised its evolution into a respected national voice. “From a humble beginning to becoming a household name, this station has remained committed to delivering high-quality content, entertainment, education, and information to our esteemed listeners,” he remarked.
General Musa emphasized the station’s indispensable role in countering disinformation and advancing strategic communication objectives for the Nigerian military. “We have covered local and international news, promoted cultural heritage, given a platform for voices to be heard, and most importantly, provided clarity on the activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” he said. “In doing this, the station has effectively denied oxygen to agents of misinformation.”
He further noted the station’s contribution to the Armed Forces’ non-kinetic operations, offering programming that builds empathy, tells Nigerian stories, and fosters civilian-military trust. Looking ahead, he pledged that the station would continue to expand its influence while remaining grounded in service. “As we commemorate this milestone, we stand ready to reach even greater heights,” he declared. “Armed Forces Radio will keep inspiring our troops to put the nation first, and it will encourage citizens to share timely, relevant information with the military through appropriate channels.”
He expressed gratitude to longstanding partners such as the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and Voice of Nigeria (VON), whose manpower and support have been vital to the station’s success. He also appreciated the regulatory role of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and lauded the commitment of the station’s staff. “This decade of impact would not have been possible without your hard work and dedication,” he said.
One of the highlights of the celebration was a keynote lecture by Professor Abiodun Adeniyi of Baze University, who delivered a thought-provoking presentation on “The Role of Broadcasting in Counter-Insurgency Operations.” He emphasized the unique power of radio as a medium capable of challenging entrenched ideologies and reshaping public perceptions.
“Insurgents often operate with a mindset built through years of indoctrination,” he explained. “But through radio, we can dismantle that mindset and offer counter-narratives rooted in truth, unity, and peace.”
Professor Adeniyi pointed out that while propaganda is often viewed negatively, it can serve as a legitimate and strategic tool in the context of national security, especially when used ethically to inform and reorient public opinion. “All warfare includes a propaganda element,” he said. “Used wisely, it becomes a strategic lever for peace and national cohesion.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Director of Armed Forces Radio, retired Colonel Timothy Antigha, reaffirmed the station’s enduring commitment to truth and national service. “For ten years, we have proudly served as a bridge between the Armed Forces and the Nigerian people,” he said. “As we look ahead, we remain committed to providing informative, balanced, and patriotic content that uplifts our listeners.”
The celebration attracted top military commanders, heads of government institutions, media stakeholders, and academics each paying tribute to the station’s vital role in fostering national unity and reinforcing public trust in the Armed Forces.
In his closing remarks, Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, extended heartfelt appreciation to all who have supported the Armed Forces Radio project over the years. He encouraged continued public listenership and reaffirmed the station’s role as a unifying voice. “Today, Armed Forces Radio is more than just a broadcasting outlet,” he said. “It is a bridge between uniform and civilian, between government and community, between security institutions and the citizens they serve.”
The occasion was capped with the presentation of awards and commemorative souvenirs, a vibrant unity dance by the NYSC National Troupe, and ceremonial group photographs to mark the milestone.
As the curtain fell on the day’s celebration, one truth rang clear: Armed Forces Radio has become a gold standard in military broadcasting, an institution rooted in purpose, driven by innovation, and committed to serving Nigeria. In a nation often challenged by conflicting narratives, it has emerged as a trusted voice, broadcasting not just signals, but hope, truth, and unity across the land.
