Defence Ministry is exploring plans to allow journalists to accompany troops during selected military operations in a bid to improve public understanding of counter-insurgency and internal security efforts.
Defence Minister Gen. Christopher Musa disclosed the initiative on Thursday at a National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Abuja.
Represented by his Special Adviser, Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole, Musa said the move would foster closer collaboration between the media and security agencies while promoting transparency.
“The defence ministry is exploring arrangements to embed journalists with military units during operations to enable more accurate reporting and deeper understanding of operational realities,” he said.
Musa emphasised the evolving role of the media in modern security management, noting that conflicts are increasingly shaped by information and narratives.
“More than ever before, the media are not only enablers; they are stabilizers of government,” he added.
The minister stressed that the success of security operations should be measured not only by military victories but also by public confidence in security institutions.
The proposal comes amid persistent criticism over restricted media access to operational areas, which has sometimes led to misinformation and public scepticism.
