From Tongnaan Bawa Jos
The Directorate of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Protection in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has sought collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to combat misinformation and promote responsible reporting on the protection of critical national infrastructure.
The proposal was made during a familiarisation visit by the directorate’s delegation to the NUJ National Secretariat on October 9, 2026, where both parties discussed ways to improve public awareness, strengthen media responsibility and support national security.
Leading the delegation, Director Air Vice Marshal Effiom expressed concern over the circulation of misleading and unverified reports, particularly those involving telecommunications companies and other critical service providers.
He warned that inaccurate information could mislead the public, undermine confidence in essential services and create challenges for efforts to protect the country’s critical infrastructure.
Effiom urged journalists to uphold professional standards by thoroughly investigating claims and verifying information before publication or broadcast.
He also proposed that the NUJ develop guidelines to strengthen media coverage of telecommunications companies and other providers of critical services.
ONSA Directorate, NUJ Seek Framework to Improve Infrastructure Reporting
Responding, NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, welcomed the initiative and assured the directorate of the union’s willingness to collaborate on issues relating to national security and the public interest.
Yahya stressed that responsible journalism remained essential to national development and public enlightenment, reaffirming the union’s commitment to ethical reporting and the promotion of positive social change.
Also speaking, NUJ National Secretary, Mr Achike Chude, called for a clear framework to guide the proposed partnership, including structured engagements and capacity-building programmes for journalists.
Read Also: CDD Tackles Information Disorder in Borno Peacebuilding Effort
He said such initiatives would equip media practitioners with the skills needed to report accurately and responsibly on critical national assets and infrastructure protection.
The two parties expressed their commitment to strengthening cooperation to promote accurate and ethical journalism in support of national security and efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s critical infrastructure.