- Calls For Stronger Media, Global Engagement In Tackling Disinformation
By Helen Udo, Abuja – NIGERIA.
The immediate past Minority Leader of Nigeria’s 9th House of Representatives, RT. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu has called for stronger engagement between Nigerian Government to adopt result oriented strategies in tackling the devastating impact of misinformation and disinformation aimed at the country.
He disclosed this while delivering goodwill message on his strong call to action for Nigeria’s foreign policy and national security stakeholders at the maiden edition of the International Diplomatic and Security Conference organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (DICAN) that brought together top diplomats, security experts, policymakers, and journalists in Abuja.
Elumelu, a respected voice in Nigeria’s political landscape who described the conference’s theme “Nigeria’s 4Ds Foreign Policy Strategy Amidst Global Security Challenges, Strategic Misperceptions, and the Age of Disinformation: The Role of Diplomacy, Intelligence and Media in Shaping National and Global Stability” as not only being timely but critical emphasised that the country’s ability to navigate the turbulent waters of global insecurity hinges on the coordinated use of diplomacy, intelligence, and responsible media.
“We are living in an era where disinformation travels faster than the truth,” Elumelu said in his keynote address. When the media, intelligence agencies, and our diplomatic corps work in synergy, we can effectively counter narratives that seek to destabilize our democracy and our nation’s image abroad.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s 4Ds foreign policy framework Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography, Elumelu stated that these pillars are “not just catchphrases, but strategic tools for redefining our international engagements and reinforcing internal stability.
“Democracy and development must be seen not only as domestic goals but as our foreign policy currency. The strength of our diaspora and the energy of our youth demography must be intentionally harnessed in our diplomatic engagements,” he added.
The unassuming lawmaker, who served in the National Assembly for several years, stressed the growing complexity of global threats, from cyberwarfare and terrorism to economic destabilization through misinformation and disinformation.
He argued that Nigeria must adopt a more proactive, intelligence-driven approach to foreign policy and security.
“We cannot afford to treat disinformation as a nuisance. It is a weapon, one that has brought nations to their knees. We must match it with strategic communication backed by solid intelligence and supported by a free but responsible media,” he said.
RT. Hon. Elumelu however, called for national unity and clarity of purpose.
“Our foreign policy is a mirror of our domestic stability,” he said. “If we fail to tell our story, others will — and they won’t tell it right. The 4Ds give us a compass. Now, we must all steer the ship.”
The lawmaker praised DICAN for its vision in organizing the conference and called for sustained support from both the public and private sectors.
“DICAN must be empowered not just with words, but with the tools to hold diplomacy and security institutions accountable. They are not just reporters; they are watchdogs and interpreters of the forces shaping our world,” he said.
He further urged the Nigerian government to deepen collaboration with international partners while also investing in homegrown capacity for intelligence gathering and media literacy.
The event also featured panel discussions on digital diplomacy, intelligence-led foreign relations, and countering global strategic misperceptions.
Participants at the conference agreed that Nigeria stands at a crossroads where its foreign policy must evolve rapidly to meet emerging challenges, from climate-induced migration to geopolitical shifts in West Africa and the Sahel.
The DICAN International Diplomatic and Security Conference is expected to become an annual event and a key platform for shaping the intersection of journalism, foreign policy, and national security in Nigeria.
