The Voice of Nigeria Forum 2026, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, convened top government officials, diplomats, security experts, media leaders, and communication professionals to assess Nigeria’s role in strengthening democracy and security across West Africa.
Deliberations centered on Nigeria’s 51-year contribution to peacekeeping, mediation, and democratic stability within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with participants calling for deeper regional collaboration to address emerging challenges.
The Etsu Nupe, Dr. Abubakar Yahaya, emphasized the critical role of traditional institutions in resolving conflicts at the grassroots, noting that many security issues can be prevented through early community engagement and dialogue.
Former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai (rtd), highlighted the growing threat of cross-border insecurity, urging ECOWAS member states to strengthen intelligence sharing and adopt coordinated security strategies.
Also speaking, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr. Ike Neliaku, underscored the importance of transparency and strategic communication in governance, warning that misinformation continues to undermine public trust.
Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, stated that the forum reinforces Nigeria’s leadership in regional diplomacy, while stressing the responsibility of the media in promoting unity, stability, and informed discourse across West Africa.
Participants at the forum reaffirmed their commitment to stronger regional partnerships, agreeing that West African nations must build on past achievements while jointly addressing evolving security and governance challenges.
