The Centre for Crisis Communication has raised concerns that the growing spread of misinformation, coupled with rising political tension and insecurity narratives, could threaten the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections .
The warning was issued on Friday in Abuja during the presentation of the Centre’s latest media analysis report, alongside the announcement of plans to establish a national Crisis Communication Hub.
Chairman of the Centre, Chris Olukolade, said the findings revealed a noticeable increase in narratives around insecurity, political division, and the rapid circulation of false information across digital platforms.
According to him, “Our analysis shows that public sentiment is increasingly shaped by fear, dissatisfaction with leadership, and reactions to government policies, much of which is amplified by both verified information and deliberate misinformation.”
Olukolade explained that the report was powered by PRrev, an artificial intelligence-driven media monitoring tool developed by Image Merchants Promotion Limited, which tracked discussions across platforms including X, Facebook, WhatsApp, online media outlets, and diaspora forums.
He noted that the study identified the fast spread of fake news, the growing sophistication of manipulated documents, and the rise of politically motivated disinformation as major risks ahead of the elections.
“Private messaging platforms, particularly WhatsApp, have become major channels for the dissemination of misleading content, making it more difficult to monitor and respond effectively,” he added.
The Centre also observed that delayed or unclear responses from official sources often create gaps that allow rumours and speculation to thrive, further eroding public trust.
Olukolade warned that failure to address these challenges could weaken confidence in democratic processes and pose broader risks to national stability.
To tackle the issue, the Centre unveiled plans to establish a Crisis Communication Hub designed to coordinate information management during emergencies.
“The proposed hub will not function as a censorship body. Rather, it will serve as a collaborative platform to ensure that accurate information is shared quickly and efficiently,” he said.
He added that the initiative would bring together stakeholders from government agencies, media organisations, civil society, and technology sectors to strengthen information flow and rebuild public trust.
Among the institutions expected to participate are the National Information Technology Development Agency, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the National Emergency Management Agency, as well as professional media bodies.
The Centre recommended improved coordination in crisis communication, stronger fact-checking mechanisms, and increased public awareness to help citizens identify and resist misinformation.
Olukolade stressed the need for proactive steps as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We remain committed to promoting responsiblet communication, accurate information, and national unity as the country prepares for the next general elections,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission has continued efforts to strengthen its communication strategy, including training programmes aimed at improving misinformation monitoring and voter education ahead of upcoming electoral activities.p
