The Centre for Crisis Communication has raised concerns over the growing spread of fake news, misinformation, political tension, and insecurity in Nigeria’s information space, warning that these factors could pose a serious threat to the 2027 general elections.
The warning was issued in Abuja as the Centre announced the creation of a National Crisis Communication Hub, a joint initiative involving the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, National Information Technology Development Agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nigerian Union of Journalists, and several civil society organisations.
The new platform is aimed at improving coordination and management of information during emergencies, especially as political activities begin to intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
Chairman of the Centre, Chris Olukolade, said findings from its latest media monitoring report revealed a worrying increase in insecurity-related narratives, political tension, and the rapid spread of false information across digital platforms.
He explained that the report was powered by PRrev, an AI-based tool used to track conversations across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, WhatsApp, online news outlets, and diaspora forums.
According to him, many Nigerians are expressing growing fear over insecurity, frustration with leadership, and mixed reactions to government actions. These sentiments, he noted, are often amplified by both verified reports and deliberate misinformation.
The report also highlighted key trends, including the increasing spread of fake news, more sophisticated forged documents, and politically driven disinformation campaigns ahead of the elections. It added that private messaging platforms such as WhatsApp have become major channels for misinformation, making detection and response more difficult.
Olukolade warned that delays or lack of clarity in official communication during crises often create room for rumours to thrive, which can weaken public trust and threaten national stability.
He explained that the newly established hub would serve as a multi-stakeholder platform focused on real-time detection of false information, improved crisis communication, and support for government messaging at all levels.
He emphasised that the hub is not intended to censor information but to ensure that accurate and timely updates reach the public through collaboration between government agencies, media organisations, and civil society groups.
Other stakeholders involved include security agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force, Defence Headquarters, the Department of State Services, as well as the National Emergency Management Agency, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers.
To tackle the challenges, the Centre recommended faster and more coordinated communication during crises, stronger fact-checking systems, deeper collaboration among stakeholders, and increased public awareness to help citizens identify and resist misinformation.
As preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum, the Centre stressed the need to strengthen Nigeria’s communication systems to protect public trust and ensure national stability.
