Odita Sunday 
NAF Tasks Information Officers on Strategic Communication, Crisis Management
By Odita Sunday
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has charged its Information Officers to deploy strategic communication as a tool for strengthening military operations, countering misinformation and disinformation, managing crises and sustaining public confidence in the Service.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, DFS, gave the charge on Monday while declaring open the 2026 Directorate of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI) Annual Media Workshop and Meeting with Information Officers at the NAF Headquarters, Abuja.
The two-day workshop, themed “Enhancing Strategic Media Operations of NAF Public Relations and Information Personnel Through Capacity Building in Crisis Management Skills,” is focused on strengthening the capacity of NAF public relations and information personnel to effectively manage the increasingly complex and contested information environment.
Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal AY Abdullahi, the CAS said the rapid spread of news, misinformation, disinformation and hostile narratives had created significant challenges for military operations and public confidence.
He said effective public communication had moved beyond being merely supportive of military operations to becoming an operational necessity that contributes directly to mission success.
Aneke urged Information Officers to recognise their responsibilities as strategic communicators who must shape public understanding of NAF operations, project professionalism, protect the credibility of the institution and strengthen public trust.
He stressed that operational success must not only be achieved but also communicated in a purposeful, responsible and effective manner to internal and external audiences.
According to him, strategic communication remains an integral part of his Command Philosophy, which places emphasis on professionalism, operational effectiveness and institutional excellence.
The CAS said the workshop was designed to strengthen participants’ competencies in strategic communication, crisis management, media relations, digital engagement and information management.
He urged the participants to translate the knowledge gained at the workshop into improved professional performance across NAF formations and units.
Earlier, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the rapidly evolving media environment and increasing complexity of security operations had made continuous professional development imperative for NAF public relations and information personnel.
Ejodame said the responsibility of Information Officers went beyond disseminating information, noting that every communication should build public understanding, reinforce confidence and support the operational objectives of the Service.
He said the workshop would strengthen the ability of participants to communicate effectively before, during and after crises, while ensuring that NAF communication remained credible, timely, coordinated and strategically aligned with operational objectives.
The opening session featured a paper by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Alhaji Baba Ndache, who spoke on contemporary media operations, strategic communication and information management during crises.
Former NAF spokespersons, including Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (Retired), Air Commodore Ozomina (Retired), Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya (Retired) and Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola (Retired), also participated in the workshop.
Branch Chiefs, serving NAF spokespersons and Information Officers from NAF formations and units across the country also attended the event, providing a platform for institutional knowledge transfer, professional interaction and the exchange of experiences on managing complex information environments and sensitive security communications.
The workshop is part of DOPRI’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the professional capacity of NAF public relations and information personnel, enhance the Service’s ability to counter misinformation, engage stakeholders effectively and manage communication during crises.
The initiative is expected to further strengthen a responsive, credible and strategically aligned communication architecture in support of NAF operations, institutional confidence and national security objectives.
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