Nigerians must reclaim ownership of Armed Forces - Minister Idris
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on Nigerians to reclaim a sense of ownership of the Armed Forces, urging citizens to view the military as a vital part of the national family.
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the maiden Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Civil-Military Relations Conference in Abuja, Idris stressed the importance of changing public perception of the military.
According to him, Nigerians must begin to see the military not as an “occupying force” but as “a force for good, for protection, and for progress.”
The conference, themed “Winning Hearts and Minds: Non-Kinetic Approaches to National Security,” focused on strengthening collaboration between civilians and the military in tackling national security challenges.
Idris stressed that the effectiveness and efficiency depend of the Nigerian Armed Forces depends on the full ownership and participation of all Nigerian.
According to the minister, the Nigerian military is not a foreign entity, rather an integral part of our national family that most be proudly owned and respected by the citizens it serves.
He lamented that due to the past involvement of military in governance, Nigerians had developed negative perceptions about the military, but after several years of civilian rule that perceptions must change.
Idris said: “The reality we face today is uncomfortable but undeniable: a trust deficit exists between the military and many segments of the Nigerian population.
Civilians, in some quarters, perceive the Armed Forces not as partners in peace, but as a force of aggression, brutal, offensive, and distant.
“This perception, whether based on history, misinformation, or isolated incidents, poses a grave threat to national unity and stability.
“Yet, let us remember that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are not a foreign entity. They are not a detached machinery. They are a national institution, owned, funded, and mandated by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on behalf of every Nigerian citizen. In truth, the Armed Forces belong to the people.
“Therefore, it is time for our people to reclaim that ownership It is time for Nigerians to see the military as an integral part of our national family not an occupying force, but a force for good, for protection, and for progress.”
The minister the conference marked a crucial step toward achieving that vision by focusing on non-kinetic strategies, dialogue, community engagement, media sensitisation, humanitarian collaboration.
He reaffirmed that that national security is not only about firepower, but also about trust, empathy, and partnership.
Idris urged the media and other critical stakeholders to champion the efforts of rebranding the image of the Nigerian military as a force that belongs to the people and committed to protecting the country to achieve desired peace and economic development.
He said: “As the Minister of Information and National Orientation, I see an enormous role for the media and public communication in this mission.
“We must be deliberate in reshaping the public narrative about our Armed Forces. We must amplify stories of sacrifice, of community service, of lives saved and dignity restored. We must challenge misinformation and foster responsible reporting.
“Moreover, we must build stronger bridges of interaction through town halls, joint projects, civic education, and institutional frameworks that keep the military close to the heartbeat of the nation.
“Let me assure you that the Federal Ministry of Information stands ready to work hand in hand with the Defence Headquarters, civil society, and the media to implement the outcomes of this conference.
“Together, we will shape a new chapter in Civil-Military Relations one rooted in mutual respect, transparency, and shared purpose.”
The minster commended the DHQ for organising the conference, which he described as “timely but essential.’
“I commend the leadership of our Armed Forces for recognising the urgent need to bridge the widening gap between the military and the civilians they are sworn to protect,” he said.
