Chidimma Uchegbu – Abuja
Former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, has called for strengthened collaboration among the media, intelligence community, and Nigeria’s diplomatic institutions to counter the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation undermining the nation’s stability and global image.
Elumelu made this call during his goodwill message at the maiden edition of the International Diplomatic and Security Conference organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (DICAN) in Abuja. The conference brought together top diplomats, security experts, policymakers, and journalists to address pressing foreign policy and national security concerns.
Speaking on the conference 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,” Elumelu described the focus as both timely and critical.
“We are living in an era where disinformation travels faster than the truth,” Elumelu said. “When the media, intelligence agencies, and our diplomatic corps work in synergy, we can effectively counter narratives that seek to destabilize our democracy and tarnish Nigeria’s image abroad.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s 4Ds foreign policy framework — Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography Elumelu described the pillars as strategic tools that must be harnessed to redefine Nigeria’s international engagements and reinforce internal stability.
He emphasized that democracy and development should be treated as more than domestic goals, but as essential diplomatic currency. “The strength of our diaspora and the energy of our youthful demography must be intentionally mobilized in our diplomatic outreach,” he added.
Elumelu, a respected political figure, also underscored the increasing complexity of global threats from cyberwarfare and terrorism to economic manipulation through fake news and propaganda. He urged a proactive, intelligence-driven approach to foreign policy and national security.
“Disinformation is not just a nuisance. It is a weapon one that has brought nations to their knees. We must confront it with strategic communication, supported by solid intelligence and a responsible but free press,” he stated.
He further called for national unity, insisting that Nigeria’s foreign policy must reflect its internal coherence. “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,” he remarked.
Commending DICAN for its initiative in hosting the conference, Elumelu called for institutional support for the association. “DICAN must be empowered not just with words, but with tools and resources 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 also advocated for deeper international collaboration, and investment in local capacity for intelligence gathering and media literacy.
The conference featured robust panel discussions on digital diplomacy, intelligence-led foreign relations, and countering global misperceptions. Participants agreed that Nigeria must urgently recalibrate its foreign policy to meet evolving challenges, from climate-induced migration to shifting geopolitical dynamics in West Africa and the Sahel.
The DICAN International Diplomatic and Security Conference is expected to become an annual platform for shaping the intersection of journalism, diplomacy, and national security in Nigeria.
