Ndace urges military to fully leverage media space

The Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, has urged the Nigerian Armed Forces to fully utilize the expanding media landscape to keep the public informed about their accomplishments.

Ndace made this statement during a guest lecture at the Nigerian Naval War College in Calabar, Cross River State, where he spoke on “Strengthening Military–Media Collaboration: A Strategic Imperative for the Nigerian Navy.”

He emphasized that the military should leverage the media to share positive narratives of their efforts to maintain peace in Nigeria and Africa.

“There should be multiple levels of engagement with the media, from field reporters to top-level media executives, to enhance understanding of military operations,” Ndace stated.

He highlighted the importance of a strong, cooperative relationship between the military and the media, which he said is crucial for building public trust and support. He also noted the rise of social media and citizen journalism, which has further expanded the media space.

Ndace, a former military correspondent, encouraged journalists to deepen their knowledge of defense and military operations to better convey the sacrifices made by the Nigerian Armed Forces.

He added, “The military must have a clear media strategy, including embedding journalists in combat zones, to build trust and strengthen the relationship between military and media personnel. African militaries must be assertive and intentional in their media relations.”