The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has said that social media has now become a priority and issue of national security.
According to VANGUARD, this statement was made in Abuja at a meeting with spokespersons of organizations under the umbrella of the Strategic Communication Interagency Policy Committee.
Ribadu stated that the negative use of social media constituted both local and global threats.
He disclosed that the National Security Strategy was last reviewed in 2015, a situation that gave rise to the launch of the 2019 version, which he said was now under review.
He directed media managers in the defense, security, and response agencies to change their approach to engaging with the public and countering disinformation from enemies of the country.
This comes as the detained terrorist negotiator, Mohammed Tukur Mamu, begged a Federal High Court, Abuja, to order his release from the custody of the Department of the State Services to the Correctional Centre in Kuje, in the Federal Capital Territory.
Ribadu said the Strategic Communication Interagency Policy Committee members must be proactive and strategic in national security communication management.
The NSA also listed the preponderance of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation as threats to national security and public engagement.
He said, “Across the world, we have also assessed the adept use of social media platforms by those who seek power to shape public opinion against citizens. This global and local threat presents an immediate national security priority.
“The urgency to prepare and be proactive in our national security strategic communication management is now, and the spokespersons have a critical role.”
Ribadu asserted that the National Security Strategy 2019, currently under review, identified strategic communication as an element of national power.
He said the strategy should be integrated into all operational aspects, including information operations, psychological operations, public diplomacy, and public relations, to project the country’s national power and values.
“As spokespersons, you have a critical role in effective governance communication, projecting our results and reaching audiences at home and abroad.
“Countering fake news will require that we are ahead of the news and proactively update the public.”
The NSA promised to ensure that government communication aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s vision and directives and that the messages were well-coordinated and aligned with national security objectives and values.
