Negative threat from social media now presents an immediate national security priority

National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has said that the threat from social media has now made it an immediate national security priority.

Speaking at a meeting with spokespersons of organisations under the umbrella of the Strategic Communication Interagency Policy Committee, Ribadu said the negative use of social media now constitutes both local and global threats.

The NSA further revealed that the National Security Strategy (NSS) was last reviewed in 2015, a situation that gave rise to the launch of the 2019 version which is now under review.

He directed media managers in the defence, security and response agencies to change their approach to engaging with the public and countering disinformation from enemies of the country. Ribadu further described fake news, misinformation, and disinformation as threats to national security and public engagement.

The NSA 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 threat is both global and local and 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 to play.

“Upon the sweat and blood of service personnel and the men and women who protect us daily, we must build a narrative of resilience and mobilise our people.

“We must tell their stories and sing their praise as part of a broader national strategic communication programme. As spokespersons, you have a critical role to play in effective governance communication to project our results and reach audiences at home and abroad.

“Countering fake news will require that we are ahead of the news and proactively update the public.”