Nigeria can no longer depend on outdated communication systems to manage modern emergencies, retired Major General Chris Olukolade has cautioned, stressing that technology now sits at the heart of national security.
Olukolade, Chairman of the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), issued the warning on Monday at the National Symposium on Digital Innovations in Crisis Communication, held at the Air Marshal Paul Dike Auditorium, National Defence College, Abuja. The event, themed “Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Transform Crisis Communication,” brought together security agencies, policymakers, ICT regulators, media professionals, and development partners.
He said the increasing frequency and complexity of crises ranging from climate-induced natural disasters and cyber-attacks to public health emergencies and security threats have exposed critical weaknesses in Nigeria’s crisis communication structure.
According to him, crisis communication has evolved beyond issuing statements after incidents. It is now a strategic national security asset that determines how quickly populations respond to warnings, how effectively institutions coordinate, and how confidently the nation recovers.
“The communication tools of yesterday can no longer address the emergencies of today,” Olukolade said, emphasizing that real-time crises require real-time communication. He noted that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, geospatial tools, mobile alerts, big data analytics, and social media intelligence offer new capabilities to detect early warning signs, counter misinformation, and disseminate verified updates swiftly.
He warned that delayed, fragmented, or inconsistent messaging as well as institutional silos continue to undermine public trust during crises. These gaps, he said, can only be closed through stronger collaboration and deeper adoption of digital innovations.
Olukolade stressed that the symposium was not merely a formal gathering but a deliberate national effort to build a proactive and predictive crisis communication system capable of supporting Nigeria’s security priorities, improving disaster response, and enhancing public confidence.
He reaffirmed the CCC’s role as a facilitator and partner in shaping a unified national response. “Our mission has always been to support security agencies, government institutions, and society with accurate information management and professional advisory services during crises,” he noted.
The retired General urged participants to fully engage in discussions, stressing that the insights and partnerships generated during the symposium would help position Nigeria to better manage emergencies in an increasingly digital world.
He concluded by welcoming attendees and expressing optimism that the deliberations would chart a stronger, technology-driven future for crisis communication in the country.