By Joy Odor
The Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has called on Nigerian journalists and media organizations to adopt a more strategic and proactive approach to communication, particularly in the context of national security and foreign diplomacy.
The Minister made the call at the maiden International Conference on Diplomacy and Security organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.
Represented by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Mr. Alkassim Abdulkadir, Ambassador Tuggar emphasized that reactive media responses are no longer sufficient in an era where disinformation and geopolitical propaganda shape global narratives.
He noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognizes the crucial role of the media in shaping perceptions and advancing the country’s diplomatic objectives.
The Minister expressed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting initiatives that combat disinformation and enhance the integrity of the information space.
He also highlighted the importance of partnership with DICAN to promote professionalism, factual reporting, and capacity building for diplomatic correspondents.
“Nigeria remains committed to supporting all meaningful initiatives that seek to combat disinformation and enhance the integrity of the information space.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognizes the crucial role of the media in shaping perceptions and advancing the country’s diplomatic objectives.
“That is why we are open to continued partnership with DICAN to promote professionalism, factual reporting, and capacity building for diplomatic correspondents.”
In his opening address, the Chairman of Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) emphasized the need for journalists covering diplomatic and security beats to be adequately equipped to report accurately and responsibly in a complex global environment.
Idehai Frederick, informed that the event was organized in response to the growing need for journalists to be better equipped to handle the complexities of diplomatic and security reporting.
According to him, the initiative aimed to address the manipulation of information that threatens national and international peace.
He maintained that the conference provided a platform for discussions on global security threats, strategic diplomacy, and the role of the media in shaping perceptions and advancing diplomatic objectives.
The conference brought together stakeholders from the diplomatic community, security sector, academia, and the media to discuss global security threats and strategic diplomacy.
The conference featured paper presentations and panel discussions on topics ranging from global conflict trends to the role of diplomacy in mitigating hybrid threats.
The event ended with a call for the institutionalization of media-diplomatic engagement platforms, joint training, and a fact-checking task force to address the manipulation of information threatening national and international peace.
