Yemi Kosoko in Jos
Religious leaders and media stakeholders have been urged to accentuate efforts to fight misinformation, disinformation and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) to be able to stop spiritual tensions, communal crises and electoral violence forward of Nigeria’s 2027 common election.
The name was made at a two-day workshop organised by Alkalanci, a fact-checking and media literacy organisation, in collaboration with the Institute for Media and Digital Innovation (IMDIL), in Jos, Plateau State.
The workshop, themed ‘Scaling Faith-Based Resilience Against Disinformation and FIMI,’ introduced collectively Christian and Muslim leaders to construct their capability to establish false data, promote accountable communication and strengthen group resilience towards data threats.
Speaking on the opening session, Editor of Alkalanci, Alhassan Bala, warned that the proliferation of false data posed a severe risk to Nigeria’s safety, social cohesion and democratic processes.
He famous that the rising use of synthetic intelligence (AI) to create misleading photos, movies and audio recordings had made it more and more tough for residents to differentiate genuine content material from fabricated materials.
According to him, malicious actors may exploit such applied sciences to inflame spiritual and communal tensions, provoke violence and undermine public belief, significantly as political actions collect momentum forward of the 2027 elections.
Bala urged spiritual leaders to train warning and confirm data earlier than sharing it with members of their congregations, stressing that accountable communication stays essential to safeguarding peace.
“When in doubt, do not share,” he mentioned, emphasising the necessity for verification earlier than circulating data succesful of deceptive the general public.
Also talking, Cyber and Hybrid Threats Programme Lead on the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Integrated Security Fund (FCDO-ISF) West Africa, Oriola Odetoye, reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s dedication to supporting Nigeria in addressing overseas data manipulation and different hybrid threats.
He defined that the intervention, carried out below the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership, is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s capability to detect, reply to and counter data manipulation campaigns that would threaten nationwide stability.
Odetoye described spiritual and group leaders as essential stakeholders as a result of of their affect in shaping public opinion and both stopping or escalating tensions inside their communities.
He disclosed that the programme could be expanded to Plateau, Kano, Adamawa and Benue States to enhance ongoing federal-level efforts aimed toward selling peace and countering information-related safety threats.
Representing the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Haruna Tanko cautioned towards the deliberate unfold of false data for political, spiritual or private acquire.
He warned that misinformation may create pointless worry, deepen divisions and set off avoidable crises, particularly throughout election durations.
Tanko referred to as on each Muslims and Christians to uphold the values of truthfulness, peace and accountable communication whereas additionally advocating accountable management and improved governance.
Similarly, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Plateau State Chapter, Rev. Dunka Gomwalk, urged spiritual leaders to strengthen interfaith dialogue and encourage their followers to confirm data earlier than sharing it.
He warned that unverified social media posts and impulsive public feedback may gasoline spiritual tensions and undermine ongoing peacebuilding efforts.
Gomwalk expressed optimism that the workshop would produce sensible methods and collaborative approaches by means of which religion communities may promote mutual coexistence.
Kalanci’s Programme Manager, Bamas Victoria, highlighted the organisation’s ongoing efforts to strengthen group resilience by means of fact-checking coaching, media literacy initiatives and public consciousness campaigns.
She defined that the programme equips spiritual leaders, educators and different stakeholders with sensible expertise to recognise data manipulation, confirm follow-up coaching classes carried out in numerous places have enabled individuals to switch data to their communities, thereby increasing the attain of counter-disinformation efforts.
She expressed confidence in sustained collaboration amongst spiritual leaders, civil platforms, and methods for figuring out propaganda and manipulative narratives.
Organisers mentioned the initiative goals to empower religion leaders to change into stronger advocates for fact, peace and accountable data sharing as Nigeria prepares for one more electoral cycle in 2027.
