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FactCheckAfrica Selected to Combat Disinformation in Nigeria Ahead of 2026 Elections
FactCheckAfrica has been named the technical assistance contractor for Nigeria under a major European Union-backed initiative aimed at strengthening electoral integrity and combating disinformation across West Africa.
The 25-month contract, awarded by Spain’s Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas (FIAP), positions the organization at the forefront of efforts to counter misinformation, hate speech, and artificial intelligence misuse as Nigeria approaches its electoral cycle in 2026.
The project falls under Component 3 of the EU Support to the ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance Programme (EPSG), a multi-donor initiative co-financed by the European Union, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“West Africa is at a critical juncture, with electoral cycles approaching and the volume of digital disinformation at historic highs,” said Abideen Olasupo, Founder of FactCheckAfrica. “This contract positions us to equip journalists, civil society organizations, social media influencers, and communities with the knowledge, tools, and critical thinking skills needed to protect the integrity of democratic processes.”
The timing of this initiative is particularly significant as Nigeria prepares for elections in 2026, with neighboring countries The Gambia and Benin following in 2027. These upcoming electoral periods face mounting threats from orchestrated disinformation campaigns designed to polarize public discourse and potentially incite violence.
FactCheckAfrica will deploy its expertise across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, implementing a comprehensive set of interventions to strengthen media resilience and public awareness. The organization’s mandate includes providing technical support to media outlets and civil society groups, conducting training camps for social media influencers, and supporting youth-led and women-centered advocacy campaigns for electoral peace.
Additional activities will include organizing interactive webinars with media organizations, providing financial support to fact-checking platforms, and training media practitioners in indigenous Nigerian languages to ensure inclusive electoral coverage.
The organization will also host an international forum on electoral disinformation in West Africa and conduct capacity-building programs focused on electoral transparency, good governance, and access to reliable information.
Industry experts note that this initiative comes at a crucial moment when digital disinformation has become increasingly sophisticated and harmful to democratic processes worldwide. According to recent studies, West African nations have seen a sharp rise in coordinated disinformation campaigns targeting electoral processes, often using artificial intelligence to create and disseminate false narratives.
The EPSG programme itself represents a continuation of previous regional security initiatives, specifically succeeding the ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture and Operations (EPSAO). This latest iteration places greater emphasis on the intersection between digital information ecosystems and electoral integrity.
FactCheckAfrica brings significant credibility to this role, having established itself as a key player in Nigeria’s fact-checking landscape. Based in Ilorin, Kwara State, the organization has developed deep connections with media organizations, election monitors, and community stakeholders across Nigeria.
All activities under this mandate will prioritize gender inclusion, regional balance, and meaningful participation from diverse demographic groups including youth, women, journalists, community leaders, and civil society representatives from all parts of Nigeria.
The selection of a Nigeria-based organization for this critical role underscores the importance of local expertise and contextual understanding in addressing region-specific challenges around information integrity and electoral processes.
As digital disinformation continues to evolve as a threat to democratic institutions globally, this initiative represents a significant investment in protecting electoral integrity across West Africa through targeted intervention, capacity building, and cross-sector collaboration.
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11 Comments
This is an encouraging development in the fight against disinformation. FactCheckAfrica’s experience and expertise should make them well-suited to this challenging task. I hope their efforts contribute to a more informed and engaged electorate in Nigeria.
The EU’s support for this initiative is encouraging. Combating disinformation is crucial for strengthening democratic processes, especially in regions facing complex electoral and security challenges. FactCheckAfrica’s experience should make them well-suited for this task.
Interesting that FactCheckAfrica has been selected for this important EU-backed initiative to combat disinformation in Nigeria. Strengthening electoral integrity and countering misinformation, hate speech, and AI misuse will be crucial ahead of the 2026 elections.
This is a timely and critical effort. With digital disinformation on the rise, equipping key stakeholders to identify and address it will be vital for a free and fair electoral process.
I’m curious to learn more about the specific approaches and strategies FactCheckAfrica will employ under this contract. Countering malicious online content while respecting free speech norms will require a nuanced and balanced approach.
Agreed. It will be important to monitor the implementation and impact of this program to ensure it achieves its intended goals without infringing on democratic rights.
The EU’s support for this initiative is commendable. Combating digital manipulation and misinformation is crucial for strengthening democratic processes, particularly in regions facing complex electoral and security challenges.
Absolutely. Equipping journalists, civil society, and social influencers with the tools to identify and counter disinformation could have a significant impact.
I wonder what specific tactics and technologies FactCheckAfrica plans to utilize under this contract. Careful consideration of privacy, free speech, and other ethical implications will be essential.
Good point. Transparency and accountability in the implementation of this program will be key to ensuring it achieves its goals without infringing on fundamental rights.
This is an important step in safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic process. FactCheckAfrica’s expertise in navigating complex information environments should prove invaluable. I hope their efforts help build trust and resilience against malicious online influence.