Ex-Army Chief Buratai To Deliver Keynote At DECAN Lecture

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Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), will deliver the keynote address at the 2026 Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria annual lecture and awards ceremony in Abuja.

Buratai accepted the invitation on Friday when a delegation of the DECAN Annual Lecture and Awards Committee, led by its President, Comrade Odita Sunday, paid him a courtesy visit.

He was also nominated for the Distinguished Leadership Award by the association.

Buratai described the lecture theme, “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,” as timely, stressing the growing importance of technology and intelligence in modern security operations.

The former Army chief also emphasised the strategic importance of defence journalism, warning that failure by the military to communicate its activities promptly could create an information gap that adversaries would exploit.

“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. Your strategy will be ineffective, which by implication, your operational execution will also be affected,” he said.

Buratai recalled that during his tenure as Army chief, the Nigerian Army allowed defence correspondents to accompany troops to operational theatres, saying the policy helped improve relations between the military and the media.

He said the initiative was also aimed at countering Boko Haram propaganda by ensuring that journalists had direct access to military operations and could report events from the field.

Recalling one such operation towards Gamboru Ngala, he said journalists accompanying troops witnessed an ambush in which a soldier was killed while a general and another soldier were wounded.

He said reports from the scene helped counter what he described as Boko Haram’s previous dominance of the information space.

Buratai said he cherished the Distinguished Leadership Award nomination and pledged to maintain his relationship with defence correspondents.

Earlier, DECAN President Odita Sunday said the delegation was at Buratai’s residence to formally notify him of his nomination and invitation to deliver the keynote address.

Odita said Buratai’s experience in military leadership and national security would enrich discussions on emerging threats, technology and intelligence-led operations.

He said the annual lecture would bring together policymakers, security professionals, journalists, academics and other stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s evolving security environment.

The event will also recognise individuals and institutions whose contributions have advanced national security, defence and responsible journalism in Nigeria.

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