By Our Reporter
Former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has accepted an invitation to deliver the keynote address at the 2026 DECAN Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony.
Buratai disclosed this on Friday when he received a delegation of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN), led by its President, Comrade Odita Sunday.
The former Army chief was also nominated for DECAN’s Distinguished Leadership Award, which he described as a recognition he cherished.
Buratai said the lecture theme, “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,” was timely.
“This topic is quite contemporary, beyond kinetic warfare. Harnessing technology and intelligence-led operations for Nigeria’s national security,” he said.
He said professional associations remained important for protecting members’ welfare, job security and professional interests, while checking arbitrary treatment of journalists by media executives.
Buratai said defence journalism was particularly important because defence and security were central to national development, cohesion and national unity.
He said timely and accurate communication could influence military operations, warning that information gaps could be exploited by adversaries.
“If you don’t project yourself, if you don’t get your information out as timely as possible, then be reassured that even your battle will be lost,” he said.
Buratai recalled that during his tenure as COAS, the Nigerian Army opened its operational theatres to defence correspondents and allowed journalists to accompany troops on missions.
He said the policy transformed the relationship between the military and the media by giving journalists first-hand access to military operations.
“We broke the jinx that you don’t report on the military while in action in Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, the initiative also helped counter Boko Haram’s propaganda activities, which he said were used to spread its ideology, create fear and demoralise troops.
Buratai recalled an operation in which journalists accompanied a military convoy advancing towards Gamboru Ngala after troops had cleared Mafa and Dikwa.
He said the convoy came under an ambush during which one soldier was killed, while a general and another soldier were injured.
He said the incident and subsequent military actions were reported from the scene, helping to counter Boko Haram’s dominance of the information space.
“Those issues were reported live, and we now broke the Boko Haram information and media propaganda back,” he said.
Buratai thanked DECAN for nominating him for the Distinguished Leadership Award and pledged to maintain his relationship with defence correspondents.
He also expressed readiness to attend the event and deliver the keynote address.
Earlier, Odita said the delegation visited Buratai to formally notify him of his nomination and invitation to serve as Guest Lecturer at the 2026 annual lecture and awards ceremony.
He said Buratai’s experience in military leadership, national defence and security would contribute to discussions on emerging threats and technology-driven security operations.
Odita said the lecture would provide a platform for policymakers, security professionals, journalists, academics and other stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s evolving security environment.
He added that the annual lecture and awards ceremony would recognise individuals and institutions whose contributions had advanced national security, defence and responsible journalism in Nigeria.