Beyond the Battlefield: Why Defence Journalists Honoured CDS Oluyede

By Aviashima Toom

In modern warfare, victory is no longer determined solely by the size of an army, the sophistication of its weapons or the number of operations conducted against an adversary. Increasingly, it depends on the ability to coordinate military capabilities, exploit intelligence, deploy technology, sustain personnel morale and manage information in an environment where misinformation can be as damaging as physical attacks.

For Nigeria, which continues to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats across multiple theatres, these realities place enormous demands on military leadership.

It is against this backdrop that the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) honoured the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, at its Conference on National Security and Awards 2026 in Abuja.

The recognition was more than a ceremonial gesture. It drew attention to the importance of strategic leadership, joint military operations and institutional coordination in the Armed Forces of Nigeria's continuing efforts to address the country's complex security challenges.

Oluyede, who was represented by the Director of Defence Information, Major-General Samaila Uba, received the award at the conference held on Monday, October 12, at the Army Command Officers' Mess 1, Asokoro, Abuja.

The event, themed “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria's National Security,” brought together military officers, defence journalists and other stakeholders to examine the changing nature of national security.

For a country facing threats that are increasingly interconnected, the recognition of the CDS provides an opportunity to examine the strategic priorities shaping military operations and the significance of cooperation among the services.

Leadership Beyond Individual Services

One of the central responsibilities of a Chief of Defence Staff is to provide strategic direction for the Armed Forces while promoting effective coordination among the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force.

Each service possesses distinct operational capabilities, but the effectiveness of the military as a whole depends significantly on how well those capabilities complement one another.

The Army's ground operations, the Navy's maritime security responsibilities and the Air Force's air power must function within a coordinated framework supported by intelligence, logistics and effective command structures.

This is the significance of jointness, a central element of the military philosophy associated with Oluyede's leadership.

Rather than allowing individual services to operate as separate institutions pursuing disconnected objectives, joint operations encourage coordinated planning, intelligence sharing and the effective deployment of available resources.

In practical terms, improved coordination can help commanders develop a clearer understanding of the operational environment, identify emerging threats and deploy appropriate capabilities where they are most needed.

For Nigeria, where security threats frequently extend across geographical boundaries and require responses from multiple agencies, this approach remains particularly important.

The recognition by DECAN therefore highlights the strategic importance of military leadership that places inter-service cooperation at the centre of national defence.

However, the ultimate measure of this approach will remain its contribution to measurable improvements in operational effectiveness, the protection of civilian populations and the restoration of security in affected communities.

Building on Military Experience

Oluyede's emergence as Chief of Defence Staff brought to the country's highest military leadership structure an officer whose career has been shaped by the demands of military service and command.

His appointment in October 2025 followed his service as Chief of Army Staff, a position in which he was responsible for providing leadership to the Nigerian Army amid continuing security challenges.

His transition from the leadership of the Army to the broader responsibility of coordinating the Armed Forces placed him at the centre of efforts to strengthen cooperation among the military services.

The responsibilities of the CDS extend beyond the battlefield. They include strategic planning, operational coordination, military administration, personnel welfare and the development of capabilities required to respond to evolving threats.

These responsibilities demand an understanding of the operational limitations of individual services and the ability to bring their strengths together in pursuit of common national objectives.

Oluyede's emphasis on jointness, personnel welfare and sound administration reflects the recognition that military effectiveness is not produced by combat operations alone.

It also depends on the quality of leadership, the professional competence of personnel, the availability of resources and the ability of institutions to learn from operational experiences.

For a military engaged in multiple security operations, these factors are essential to sustaining effectiveness over time.

Why Personnel Welfare Matters

Behind every military operation are officers and soldiers whose preparedness, morale and professionalism influence its outcome.

Military personnel operating in difficult terrain, confronting armed groups and protecting vulnerable communities require appropriate equipment, reliable logistics, adequate training and effective medical and welfare support.

Consequently, personnel welfare is not merely an administrative responsibility. It is an important component of operational readiness.

A force that invests in the welfare and professional development of its personnel is better positioned to maintain morale, retain experience and sustain operational commitments.

Oluyede's stated emphasis on personnel welfare and sound administration therefore speaks to a broader principle of military leadership: the strength of an institution depends not only on the resources it possesses but also on how effectively it develops and supports the people responsible for delivering its mandate.

For the Armed Forces, this also includes strengthening professional standards, accountability and the capacity of commanders to translate strategic objectives into practical results.

Ultimately, the importance of this approach must be reflected in the working conditions of personnel, the effectiveness of military formations and the ability of the services to fulfil their constitutional responsibilities.

Beyond Kinetic Warfare

Perhaps one of the most significant aspects of the DECAN conference was its focus on the changing character of warfare.

Traditional military operations remain important, but contemporary security threats increasingly involve technological capabilities, intelligence networks, cyber-related vulnerabilities and the deliberate manipulation of information.

Terrorist organisations and other criminal groups can exploit digital platforms to spread propaganda, distort events, create public anxiety and undermine confidence in security institutions.

Artificial intelligence has further complicated this environment by making it easier to produce fabricated images, manipulated audio and misleading videos that may appear authentic to unsuspecting audiences.

For the military, the challenge is no longer limited to identifying and defeating adversaries in physical locations. It also involves protecting the integrity of information, responding to false narratives and ensuring that the public receives credible information about security developments.

This explains the relevance of Oluyede's appeal to defence journalists to collaborate with the military in confronting misinformation and AI-generated fake content capable of undermining national security.

Speaking through the Director of Defence Information, the CDS emphasised the importance of responsible reporting in an environment where information can influence public perception, operational security and national confidence.

The message reflects an important reality: information management has become an increasingly significant dimension of national security.

Nevertheless, combating misinformation must go hand in hand with professional journalism, transparency and the public's legitimate interest in understanding military operations.

Credible communication requires timely information, factual explanations and a willingness to distinguish verified developments from speculation.

For journalists, the responsibility is to verify claims, protect confidential operational details where necessary and report security matters without exaggeration or unnecessary alarm.

For military institutions, effective media engagement requires accessible information, clear communication channels and prompt clarification of false reports.

When both sides fulfil these responsibilities, the public is better positioned to understand security challenges without being misled by propaganda or unverified claims.

The Strategic Importance of Military-Media Relations

The relationship between the military and the media has not always been without tension. Security agencies must protect sensitive operational information, while journalists are expected to hold public institutions accountable and provide citizens with accurate information.

These responsibilities can sometimes create competing demands.

However, professional engagement offers an opportunity to bridge the gap between operational secrecy and public accountability.

Defence correspondents occupy an important position in this relationship. Through their reporting, they explain military operations, communicate official security developments and examine the policies and institutional decisions shaping national defence.

Their work also helps the public understand the sacrifices of military personnel and the challenges confronting security institutions.

For this relationship to produce meaningful results, military-media cooperation must be anchored in mutual respect, factual accuracy and clearly understood professional boundaries.

The military must recognise the media as an important partner in public communication, while journalists must preserve their independence and commitment to verification.

The CDS's appeal at the DECAN conference consequently underscores the importance of constructive engagement between the Armed Forces and journalists covering defence and security.

It also highlights the need for greater media literacy, stronger fact-checking practices and responsible use of emerging technologies in news production.

Assessing the Significance of DECAN's Recognition

Awards presented by professional associations often serve as a means of recognising leadership, encouraging institutional excellence and drawing public attention to developments considered important within a particular sector.

In honouring Oluyede, DECAN highlighted the importance of strategic military coordination, intelligence-led operations and professional engagement with the media.

The award also created an opportunity for defence journalists to draw attention to the broader requirements of national security at a time when Nigeria continues to seek sustainable responses to terrorism, banditry and other threats.

However, recognition should also encourage a broader conversation about the standards by which military leadership is assessed.

For the Armed Forces, these standards include improved operational coordination, the protection of civilians, the welfare of personnel, accountability and demonstrable progress in reducing security threats.

They also include the ability to adapt to emerging technologies and ensure that military operations remain responsive to the security needs of Nigerians.

The significance of any leadership award ultimately extends beyond the ceremony when its underlying ideals translate into practical institutional improvements and better security outcomes.

For DECAN, the recognition of the CDS was therefore both an acknowledgement of the importance of military leadership and a reminder of the responsibilities that accompany the office.

The Road Ahead

Nigeria's security challenges require more than isolated military successes. They demand sustained coordination among the Armed Forces, cooperation with other security agencies, effective intelligence gathering, adequate resources and a broader whole-of-government approach that addresses the conditions enabling insecurity.

Military operations must also be supported by effective governance, community engagement and measures that prevent vulnerable populations from becoming exposed to recruitment, violence and criminal exploitation.

Within this wider framework, the CDS has an important responsibility to ensure that the Armed Forces remain professionally prepared, operationally coordinated and capable of responding to emerging threats.

Oluyede's emphasis on jointness, personnel welfare, administration and intelligence-led operations points to several of the institutional priorities relevant to that responsibility.

The challenge ahead is to ensure that these priorities produce measurable improvements across the country's security theatres.

For the journalists who cover the military, the task is equally demanding: to report developments accurately, scrutinise claims, explain the complexities of national security and give Nigerians reliable information without compromising legitimate operational sensitivities.

Ultimately, the DECAN honour carries significance beyond the presentation of an award. It highlights the intersection of military leadership, professional communication and national security at a time when Nigeria's security environment demands coordination, adaptability and public confidence.

The lasting value of the recognition will be determined not by the applause that accompanied its presentation, but by the extent to which the principles it celebrates contribute to a more effective Armed Forces and a safer Nigeria.