Religious leaders and media stakeholders have been urged to combat misinformation, disinformation and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) to prevent religious tensions, communal crises and electoral violence ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The call was made during a two-day workshop organised by Alkalanci, a fact-checking and media literacy organisation, in collaboration with the Institute for Media and Digital Innovation (IMDIL), at Crispan Hotel, Jos, Plateau State.
The workshop, themed “Scaling Faith-Based Resilience Against Disinformation and FIMI.” Commenced on October 27 and to conclude 28, 2026, is It brings together religious leaders to strengthen their capacity to identify false information, promote responsible communication and protect community peace.
In a welcome remarks, Alhassan Bala, Editor of Alkalanci, warned that false information could have serious consequences for Nigeria’s security and democratic process.
Bala noted that the increasing use of artificial intelligence to create misleading images, videos and audio recordings had made it more difficult for people to distinguish facts from fabricated content.
He warned that such materials could be deliberately deployed to inflame religious and communal tensions, trigger violence and cause the loss of lives and property.
Ahead of the 2027 elections, he cautioned that misleading political narratives could discourage voter participation, undermine public confidence and threaten national peace.
The editor urged religious leaders to verify information before sharing it with their congregations and encouraged Nigerians to adopt responsible social media practices.
“When in doubt, do not share,” he advised, stressing the importance of verification before circulating information capable of misleading the public.
Also speaking, Oriola Odetoye, Cyber and Hybrid Threats Programme Lead at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Integrated Security Fund (FCDO ISF) West Africa, reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in tackling foreign information manipulation.
Odetoye explained that the initiative, implemented under the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership, seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to detect, respond to and counter information manipulation and other hybrid threats.
He said religious and community leaders were central to the intervention because of their influence in either preventing or escalating tensions within their communities.
According to him, the programme will extend to Plateau, Kano, Adamawa and Benue states, complementing existing federal-level efforts to address information-related security threats and promote peaceful coexistence.
Representing the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Haruna Tanko called on religious leaders and members of the public to stop spreading false information for personal, religious or political interests.
Tanko warned that the deliberate circulation of falsehood could provoke unnecessary fear, deepen divisions and trigger crises, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
He urged Muslims and Christians to uphold the values of their respective faiths by promoting truthfulness, peace and responsible public communication.
Tanko also emphasised the need for sincere leadership, accountability and commitment to public service, expressing concern over corruption and the decline in the quality of education in Nigeria.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Plateau State Chapter, Rev. Dr. Dunka Gomwalk, urged religious leaders to promote interfaith dialogue, peaceful coexistence and responsible information sharing.
Gomwalk warned that unverified social media posts and hasty public comments could fuel religious tensions and undermine efforts to maintain peace.
He encouraged religious leaders to teach their followers to investigate information, verify claims and avoid spreading content that could provoke hostility.
The CAN chairman expressed hope that the workshop would produce a common strategy and practical action plans through which religious communities could promote moderation, truthfulness and lasting peace.
Earlier, Bamas Victoria, Programme Manager at Alkalanci, outlined the organisation’s efforts to strengthen community resilience against misinformation and disinformation through practical training and public awareness programmes.
Victoria said the initiative brings together religious leaders, educators and other stakeholders to improve their understanding of information manipulation and equip them with practical fact-checking skills.
She explained that the programme combines academic expertise with practical approaches, including the use of English and local languages, to make its activities accessible to diverse communities.
According to her, previous engagements across several locations, including follow-up training sessions, had helped participants extend their knowledge to wider communities.
Victoria expressed optimism that sustained collaboration and community engagement would help achieve the programme’s objectives.
The first day of the workshop also featured sessions on the role of Christian and Muslim leaders in the digital age, how false information spreads through social media and messaging applications, and the identification of propaganda and manipulative communication techniques.
The organisers said the initiative seeks to empower religious leaders to become more effective voices for truth, peace and responsible information sharing, particularly as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.
