As preparations intensify for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, FactCheckAfrica has trained journalists, fact-checkers and civil society actors on strategies for combating misinformation, disinformation and hate speech capable of undermining democratic processes, electoral integrity and public trust.
The three-day regional capacity-building workshop, themed “Truth at the Ballot: Strengthening Media and Civil Society for Democratic and Peaceful Elections in Nigeria,” was held in Lagos State under the European Union-supported EU Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project.
Implemented by FactCheckAfrica in partnership with the Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas (FIAP), the workshop brought together 35 media professionals and civil society representatives to strengthen their capacity for election-related fact-checking, responsible journalism and strategic communication ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Delivering the welcome remarks on behalf of FactCheckAfrica Founder, Abideen Olasupo, the organisation’s Research and Programmes Officer, Mustapha Lawal, said the initiative was designed to equip participants with practical skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex information environment.
“With the rise of misinformation and disinformation, particularly during election periods, journalists and civil society actors have a critical responsibility to ensure that citizens have access to accurate and verified information,” Lawal said.
According to him, participants would gain practical knowledge in verification techniques, digital investigations, ethical election reporting and safety protocols while fostering collaboration among stakeholders working to protect the integrity of the information ecosystem.
Speaking at the workshop, the Technical Adviser on Media and Civil Society Organisations for the FIAP-EPSG Project, Joseph Osuigwe, said the initiative was designed to strengthen the capacity of journalists and civil society actors to promote democratic and peaceful elections through accurate, responsible and evidence-based reporting.
He noted that the workshop forms part of broader efforts under the EPSG Project to strengthen media resilience, foster civic participation and support democratic governance across the region.
Facilitating the session on pre-electoral context analysis, AFP Nigeria Correspondent, Tonye Bakare, warned that disinformation campaigns are becoming increasingly sophisticated and urged journalists to prioritise verification before publishing election-related content.
“The speed of information should never take precedence over accuracy. Verification remains the most important safeguard against the spread of falsehoods,” he said.
Leading the practical verification sessions, Mustapha Lawal demonstrated how journalists can investigate manipulated images, misleading claims and coordinated misinformation campaigns through structured fact-checking workflows.
Participants subsequently engaged in practical sessions on fact-checking and digital verification techniques, including reverse image searches, source authentication, Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) tools and the use of artificial intelligence in verifying electoral content.
Media development expert and Executive Director of the Media Career Development Network, Lekan Otufodunrin, highlighted the role of journalists in identifying and de-escalating divisive political narratives while emphasizing the importance of ethical reporting in preserving social cohesion during elections.
Participants were also trained on gender-sensitive and youth-inclusive reporting by Hannah Ajakaiye, Founder and Editor of FactsMatterNG, who encouraged journalists to ensure balanced and equitable representation of women, young people and other underrepresented groups in electoral coverage.
The participants further received practical guidance on physical, digital and psychosocial safety from Mojeed Alabi, Team Lead of DevReporting, who was represented by Kabir Adejumo.
One of the major highlights of the workshop was the official launch of the Toolkit for Safe Journalism During Elections, developed under the EPSG Project.
The toolkit provides practical guidance on physical, digital, psychosocial and legal safety for journalists, editors, fact-checkers and civil society communicators involved in election coverage and public-interest reporting.
The workshop also culminated in the adoption of a communiqué in which participants reaffirmed their commitment to combating misinformation, disinformation and hate speech ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the communiqué, participants pledged to strengthen fact-checking and verification practices, promote ethical and evidence-based reporting, support collaborative responses to false information and contribute to peaceful, credible and democratic elections even beyond 2027.
