At the International Diplomatic and Security Conference in Abuja, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, former Minority Leader of Nigeria’s 9th House of Representatives, delivered a stirring call to action against the spread of misinformation and disinformation, warning of their growing threat to national and global stability.
Speaking on the theme “Nigeria’s 4Ds Foreign Policy Strategy Amidst Global Security Challenges, Strategic Misperceptions, and the Age of Disinformation,” Elumelu emphasized the urgent need for stronger collaboration between the Nigerian government, international allies, the media, and intelligence agencies.
“We are living in an era where disinformation travels faster than the truth,” he noted. “When diplomacy, intelligence, and a responsible press work in sync, we can dismantle the false narratives that threaten our democracy.”
Elumelu championed Nigeria’s 4Ds—Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography—as more than buzzwords but essential drivers of foreign policy and national resilience. He warned that cyber warfare, terrorism, and coordinated disinformation campaigns pose serious risks and must be countered with strategic communication, robust intelligence, and media accountability.
“Disinformation is not just noise—it’s a weapon,” he warned. “If we fail to tell our own story, others will—and they won’t tell it right.”
He commended the Diplomatic Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (DICAN) for providing a strategic platform and stressed the need for ongoing investment in media literacy and intelligence capacity building.
The high-level event drew diplomats, security chiefs, and media experts, with consensus on modernizing Nigeria’s foreign policy to address evolving global challenges from climate change to security threats in the Sahel.
