The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), through its Media in National Elections (MiNE) project and its fact-checking arm, DUBAWA, has begun a two-day Media and Information Literacy (MIL) and fact-checking training for officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The programme, organised in partnership with INEC, is designed to strengthen officials’ understanding of information flows and equip them with skills to counter the growing threat of mis- and disinformation during elections, particularly in an increasingly digital media environment.
Held in Abuja, the training brought together 25 INEC staff and participants drawn from the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as part of preparations for the February 21 Area Council elections.
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mal. Aminu Idris Kasimu, the Administrative Secretary of INEC FCT, Mrs. Bimbo Oladunjoye, reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the electoral process beyond logistics and operations. She stressed that the rise of social and online media has significantly reshaped how elections are perceived by the public.
“In today’s digital age, the media environment has become a powerful force in shaping public perception of elections. While it creates opportunities for transparency and voter education, it also poses serious risks when abused,” she said.
She warned that the spread of false and misleading information online could undermine electoral credibility, threaten security, and erode public trust if left unchecked. According to her, INEC’s mandate now includes safeguarding the information ecosystem surrounding elections.
“As we prepare for forthcoming electoral activities, including the FCT area council elections, we must also protect the information environment. Accurate information must prevail over falsehood,” Oladunjoye added, urging participants to actively engage with the training and apply the lessons learned to strengthen institutional communication.
Speaking at the event, CJID’s Executive Director, Akintunde Babatunde, described INEC as one of Nigeria’s most critical democratic institutions, but also one frequently targeted by misinformation campaigns that fuel public distrust.
He noted that Media and Information Literacy is essential for election management bodies to recognise and respond to what he described as “information warfare,” stressing that the challenge must be addressed through collaboration rather than blame.
“This training is not about blame. It is about partnership, how INEC’s framework and CJID’s technical capacity can work together to protect electoral integrity and also safeguard election officials,” Babatunde said.
He added that CJID has carried out similar interventions in 13 African countries, working closely with election management bodies to counter the rising influence of digital disinformation on democratic processes.
CJID is an African media technology organisation operating across Anglophone and Francophone Africa. Founded in Nigeria in 2014, the organisation focuses on investigative journalism, innovation, open data, verification, election integrity, and the protection of press freedom and journalist safety.
Through its Media in National Elections (MiNE) project, CJID promotes electoral accountability by fostering collaboration among civil society organisations, election management bodies, and advocacy groups. DUBAWA, its verification platform, advances fact-checking and truth in public discourse through partnerships with media organisations, governments, civil society, technology companies, and the wider public.
