As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, journalists have been urged to ensure voters receive accurate information and are protected from misinformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI).
The call was made during a training session organised by Africa Check on election coverage and the responsible use of AI.
The facilitator, Allwell Okpi, a journalist, fact-checker and media trainer, said reporters must act as gatekeepers of the information space. He warned journalists against amplifying false narratives, including those originating outside Nigeria to influence electoral outcomes.
Verify Before Publishing
AI tools, he said, have made it easier to produce fake photographs, manipulated videos and synthetic audio. “Publishing such content without proper verification risks giving it the credibility of a news report.”
“During elections, false claims about candidates, voter registration and results can mislead voters and discourage participation in the electoral process.
” Journalists should trace the original source of content, establish when and where it was produced, check for alterations and seek independent confirmation. Where a claim cannot be verified, they should state this clearly.
“Newsrooms can support these efforts by establishing election verification teams, adopting editorial guidelines on AI use and implementing clear procedures for correcting errors.
Using AI Responsibly
According to Okpi, AI can assist journalists with transcribing audio, translating content and tracing the origins of images and videos. However, he said detection tools can produce inaccurate results.
” Their findings should be treated as leads rather than conclusive evidence and supported by human judgement and expert advice.”
He noted that transparency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is equally important.
“During the 2023 general elections, delays in uploading presidential election result sheets to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) generated controversy, despite the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
” The episode highlighted that technology alone cannot secure public trust without proper testing and clear explanations when systems fail.
Asked whether INEC was ready to use AI in the electoral process, Okpi expressed cautious optimism but said it remained unclear how the technology would be deployed.
He urged journalists to question the commission about the purpose, testing and safeguards of any AI application. He also called on INEC to publish its technical assessments.
Okpi stressed that AI should not be confused with electronic voting, as the two are separate issues.
Restoring Voters’ Confidence
Okpi linked declining public confidence in elections to voter apathy, saying INEC must convince Nigerians that the 2027 polls would be credible.
He stated that political parties and candidates must comply with electoral rules.
Journalists, he said, could contribute by scrutinising campaign claims, examining electoral complaints and explaining how voters could check their registration status, locate their polling units and understand voting procedures.
“Working with community media to publish corrections in local languages would also help reach audiences particularly vulnerable to misinformation.
” Training alone would not be enough. Editorial independence, reliable information and institutional accountability would remain essential as the 2027 elections approach.”
By making verification routine and demanding transparency from electoral institutions, Okpi said, journalists could help Nigerians make informed democratic choices.
