Misinformation: NUJ Backs Partnership With NSA Directorate

ABUJA -The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the Directorate of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Protection in the Office of the National Security Adviser to promote responsible journalism and address misinformation.

NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, stated the Union’s position during a familiarisation visit by the Directorate’s delegation to the NUJ National Secretariat on October 9, 2026.

According to a statement on the engagement, Yahya welcomed the delegation’s recognition of the Union as a strategic partner in advancing national security and the public interest.

He said responsible journalism remained essential to national development, public enlightenment and the promotion of the country’s collective interests.

Yahya also expressed the NUJ’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening professional journalism and positioning journalists as agents of positive change in the media industry and the country.

The NUJ National Secretary, Mr Achike Chude, called for a clear framework to guide the proposed collaboration between the Union and the Directorate.

Chude emphasised the need for structured engagement and capacity-building programmes to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills required to report on critical national assets, infrastructure protection and related security issues.

The Directorate’s delegation, led by Air Vice Marshal Effiom, had expressed concern over misleading or unsubstantiated reports involving telecommunications companies and other service providers, according to the statement.

The delegation urged journalists to verify information and conduct thorough investigations before publication or broadcast. It also proposed NUJ-led guidelines for media coverage of telecommunications and other critical service providers.

The engagement provided an opportunity for both parties to explore areas of cooperation in promoting accurate, ethical and responsible journalism in support of national security and the public interest.

The statement did not specify the timeline for developing the proposed framework or indicate whether a formal agreement had been reached.