The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has called for a stronger and more structured partnership with the Nigerian Army to deepen media-military collaboration on national security, peacebuilding and strategic communication.
NAWOJ National President, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim Kwaya-Bura, made the call on Friday, August 21, 2026, when she led a delegation of the Association on a courtesy visit to the Department of Civil-Military Affairs, Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Kwaya-Bura said stronger collaboration between the media and military was essential to promoting informed public understanding of security challenges and strengthening public confidence in the armed forces.
She commended officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their sacrifices in defending the nation and protecting its territorial integrity, stressing that journalists had a responsibility to report security operations accurately and responsibly.
The NAWOJ president proposed collaboration with the Army in capacity building for women journalists, security awareness, conflict-sensitive reporting, countering misinformation, civil-military relations, peacebuilding and strategic communication.
She also disclosed plans to institutionalise the Women in Security, Peace and Conflict platform as a forum for sustained discussions on security, conflict resolution, peacebuilding and the role of women in promoting national security.
Kwaya-Bura sought the Nigerian Army’s partnership, particularly that of the Department of Civil-Military Affairs, for subsequent editions of the initiative, following what she described as the success of its maiden edition.
Responding, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major General Musa Awwal Etsu-Ndagi, assured NAWOJ of the Army’s continued partnership, describing the Nigerian Army as a media-friendly institution committed to mutually beneficial relations with journalists.
Etsu-Ndagi also highlighted the Army’s commitment to gender inclusivity, citing the appointment of a female senior officer as its spokesperson and the establishment of the Nigerian Army Women Command as evidence of efforts to expand opportunities for women in national defence.
He stressed that sustained collaboration with the media remained vital to ensuring accurate information, improving public understanding of military operations and strengthening civil-military relations.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major General Aminu M. Umar; Deputy Director, Civil Sponsorship, Colonel Y. Micha; representative of the Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel J. E. Nnuakalu; and other senior officers of the Department of Civil-Military Affairs.
