CDS Calls for Whole-of-Society Approach to Building National Resilience
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to deploying psychological and influence operations as strategic tools for conflict prevention, national stabilisation and the promotion of sustainable peace.
General Oluyede made the commitment at the conclusion of the two-day Defence Headquarters Psychological Operations Workshop held in Abuja from July 23 to 24, 2026.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Training, Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye, the CDS stressed the need for a coordinated whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to building national resilience. He said government institutions, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, the media and local communities all have critical roles to play in addressing emerging security challenges.
Speaking on the theme, “Building National Resilience: The Role of Influence Operations in Conflict Prevention and Stabilization,” Oluyede described the workshop as timely, noting that influence operations have become indispensable in tackling the root causes of conflict, countering misinformation and disinformation, strengthening public trust and fostering peaceful coexistence.
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He said the Armed Forces would continue to leverage strategic communication and influence operations to enhance national security and support efforts aimed at preventing conflicts across the country.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Dr. Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, represented by the Director of News, Hajiya Halima Musa, highlighted the importance of strategic communication in countering hostile narratives and safeguarding national unity.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, said sustainable peace depends on credible communication, effective public engagement and strong collaboration among stakeholders. He described influence operations as vital to promoting trust, national cohesion and resilience.
At the end of the workshop, participants drawn from the Armed Forces, security and intelligence agencies, government institutions, academia, civil society organisations and the media adopted a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s national resilience through enhanced strategic communication and coordinated influence operations.
The participants called for deeper inter-agency collaboration, sustained institutional capacity building, improved public engagement and the integration of influence operations into national conflict prevention and stabilisation strategies.
The workshop ended with stakeholders renewing their commitment to sustained collaboration in combating misinformation, preventing violent extremism, strengthening public confidence in state institutions and advancing lasting peace, national unity and development across the country.
By PRNigeria
