General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff (COAS), has called on Nigerian journalists to prioritise truth and professional conduct in their reporting. Speaking through his representative at a media event during the Easter period, Oluyede stated that national unity and security are not solely the responsibility of the military but also depend on how information is managed in the public space. He emphasized that accurate, balanced reporting strengthens societal cohesion, while misinformation risks deepening divisions. The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) echoed the sentiment, calling for renewed commitment to ethical standards in the profession.
Oluyede acknowledged the media's role as a watchdog but urged practitioners to avoid sensationalism, particularly on issues relating to security and national identity. He stressed that responsible journalism contributes to public trust and long-term stability. No new policy directives or funding commitments were announced alongside the appeal.
A military chief urging journalists to be truthful is routine, but coming from Oluyede at a time of widespread public distrust in both media and security institutions, the statement underscores a shared crisis of credibility. The NUJ's quick alignment suggests the profession fears being framed as part of the problem. Without concrete steps to protect press freedom or hold military actors accountable for information control, such appeals remain one-sided. For Nigerians, this means the gap between official rhetoric and media reality stays wide.
