The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and key stakeholders have called for a coordinated national response to the growing threat of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven misinformation, disinformation and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 General Election.
The stakeholders stressed the need for stronger collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, media organisations, technology companies and civil society groups to safeguard the country’s electoral information environment and preserve public confidence in the democratic process.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, made the call on Monday in Abuja while speaking at the opening of the National Summit on Electoral Information Integrity, themed, “Beyond the Ballot: AI, FIMI and the Integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections.”
Amupitan warned that electoral threats had evolved beyond physical interference at polling units to include sophisticated digital manipulation capable of influencing public opinion, misleading voters and undermining confidence in election outcomes even before voting begins.
According to him, although artificial intelligence presents opportunities to improve administrative efficiency and election management, its misuse could facilitate the production and circulation of deepfake videos, cloned voices, fabricated announcements and coordinated disinformation campaigns.
He noted that such developments posed serious challenges to electoral transparency and public trust, particularly as political actors and other interests increasingly exploit digital platforms to disseminate misleading information.
The INEC chairman maintained that public awareness campaigns alone would not be sufficient to address the growing threat, stressing that relevant institutions must develop a coordinated and proactive approach to identifying and responding to information manipulation.
“INEC cannot police the truth alone,” he said, adding that the Commission expected the summit to establish a united front for protecting electoral information integrity.
Amupitan disclosed that INEC was strengthening its technological and communication capacity to detect manipulated content, verify suspicious information and provide timely clarifications through traditional and digital media platforms.
He also advocated the establishment of clear inter-agency escalation protocols, institutionalised fact-checking channels and practical simulation exercises to prepare relevant institutions for possible AI-driven information crises during the electoral process.
He, however, cautioned that measures designed to combat misinformation must not undermine fundamental democratic freedoms, including freedom of expression, press freedom and legitimate political dissent.
The chairman warned against using the fight against disinformation as a justification for censorship or excessive government control, emphasising the need to strike a balance between protecting electoral information and preserving democratic rights.
Former INEC Chairman and chairman of the occasion, Prof. Attahiru Jega, described artificial intelligence as a powerful technological tool with enormous potential to improve efficiency across different sectors of governance.
Jega, however, stressed the importance of understanding the challenges associated with its deployment, particularly within the electoral environment, as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 General Election.
He underscored the need for stakeholders to examine the implications of emerging technologies for democratic governance and develop appropriate responses to prevent their misuse in the electoral process.
Similarly, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, warned that elections could be undermined without any ballot being physically altered, noting that fabricated announcements and false claims about election results could mislead voters and deepen public distrust.
Mignot reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening information integrity, building media resilience and promoting responsible digital engagement in Nigeria.
He stressed the importance of protecting the information environment as an essential component of credible elections, particularly in an era when misleading content can spread rapidly across digital platforms.
Representing the Minister of Information, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, Dr. Dili Ezughah, said electoral integrity extended beyond the processes of voting, counting and announcing results to include the quality and credibility of information available to citizens before, during and after elections.
Ezughah explained that access to accurate and reliable information was critical to enabling citizens to make informed decisions and participate meaningfully in the democratic process.
He also noted that Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, published in 2024, provides a framework for ensuring responsible, inclusive and accountable deployment of artificial intelligence across the country.
The Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Mr. Lanre Arogundade, who spoke on behalf of the IPC, Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and DAI, observed that the contest for citizens’ trust was already taking place on digital platforms long before voters arrived at polling units.
Arogundade called for stronger collaboration among media organisations, election management bodies and civil society groups to identify, verify and counter false electoral narratives capable of distorting public understanding of the electoral process.
He emphasised the need for stakeholders to strengthen their capacity to monitor digital information, respond to misleading narratives and ensure that credible information reaches citizens in a timely manner.
