TACKLE FAKE NEWS EARLY, YIAGA URGES INEC
Yiaga Africa has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen its communication and fact-checking systems ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that artificial intelligence-generated disinformation could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
The organisation’s Director of Programmes, Cynthia Mbamalu, said INEC must provide accurate, timely and transparent information to prevent false narratives from spreading and discouraging citizens from participating in elections.
Mbamalu made the call on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, during a webinar organised by the PUNCH Media Foundation on artificial intelligence, misinformation and Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
She warned that deliberately manufactured false information posed a serious threat to electoral integrity, particularly when manipulated videos, photographs and audio recordings are circulated to mislead voters.
According to her, INEC must not wait until misleading information becomes widespread before responding. Instead, the commission should establish effective communication channels that allow Nigerians to verify election-related information quickly.
She cited the controversy surrounding images allegedly taken from the voters’ register, explaining that some individuals circulated fabricated images amid public concerns about the register.
Mbamalu said INEC’s silence or delayed response to such claims could allow false information to gain traction and become difficult to contain.
She also called for improved digital literacy and technical training for INEC personnel, particularly those managing the commission’s information technology departments and social media platforms.
The Yiaga Africa director said electoral officials must understand how artificial intelligence works and acquire the skills to use available technology to identify and counter AI-generated misinformation.
She further suggested that INEC could engage additional technical experts and external support to strengthen its response to emerging digital threats.
The warning comes amid growing concerns that artificial intelligence could be used to create fake announcements, manipulate political statements, impersonate electoral officials and circulate misleading information about election procedures.
With preparations for the 2027 general elections gathering momentum, Yiaga Africa stressed that protecting the credibility of electoral information would be essential to maintaining public trust and encouraging voter participation.
