By Chioma Vivian James
The battle against disinformation ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections received a major boost as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) pledged deeper collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council to promote credible information and defend democratic values.
Director General and Chief Executive Officer of National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, made the commitment during the 2026 NUJ FCT Press Week in Abuja, where he warned that the growing wave of fake news and digital manipulation poses a serious threat to democracy.
Speaking on the theme, “2027 Elections: Defending Nigeria’s Democracy in the Age of Disinformation,” Abdullahi said while technology has made information more accessible, it has also become a tool for spreading falsehood and eroding public trust.
“We live in an era where technology has democratized the flow of information, but it has also weaponized falsehoods. Disinformation does not just distort facts; it erodes the very trust that holds a democratic society together,” he stated.
He stressed that journalists remain critical defenders of truth and accountability, adding that technology alone cannot defeat fake news without ethics, professionalism, and integrity from media practitioners.
“At NITDA, we firmly believe that technology should be an instrument for empowerment, not polarization. However, code and algorithms alone cannot fight disinformation—it requires human integrity, critical thinking, and a steadfast commitment to the truth,” he added.
The NITDA boss assured journalists of the agency’s support through digital literacy initiatives, tools, and frameworks designed to help media professionals navigate the evolving digital information ecosystem safely and effectively.
Abdullahi also commended the Nigeria Union of Journalists FCT Council under the leadership of Grace Ike for organizing what he described as a comprehensive and impactful press week that combined intellectual discourse, mental health advocacy, and community outreach.
The 2026 NUJ FCT Press Week drew journalists, government officials, security agencies, and key stakeholders from across Nigeria, with participants expressing optimism that the deliberations would strengthen democracy and encourage responsible information sharing ahead of the 2027 elections.
