Effective communication is key to improving civil-military relations – NIJ lecturer
Effective communication is key to improving civil-military relations – NIJ lecturer
A lecturer at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) and media practitioner, Mr Femi Johnson, has emphasised the critical role of effective communication is key in strengthening civilian-military relations and enhancing national security operations.
Johnson made the emphasis during a workshop on civil-military relationship, community engagement and media management holding from April 28 to April 30 at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
He said that modern security operations could not succeed in isolation without strong engagement with the public through strategic communication and soft skills.
“Security personnel must not only rely on operational capacity but also develop strong communication skills that foster trust, confidence, and cooperation within communities.
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“Communication is vital in building trust and reassurance among the people, and these are essential ingredients for peace and security consciousness.
“Security agencies cannot effectively safeguard the country without the cooperation of citizens,” the lecturer said.
Johnson said that poor communication between security agencies and the public, often led to distrust, misinformation, and operational setbacks, including loss of intelligence support and increased vulnerability to security threats.
He added that effective communication bridged the gap between security forces and the populace, enabling better intelligence gathering, improved collaboration, and enhanced operational success.
“Without effective communication, there is a lacuna between the force and the people, and that gap must be bridged for security agencies to be truly effective,” Johnson said.
He said that sustainable civilian-military relations depended largely on consistent engagement, transparency, and the ability of security institutions to communicate clearly and build public confidence.
