NITDA Supports Crisis Communication Hub to Combat AI-Generated Misinformation

Nigeria’s digital security agency has endorsed the creation of a National Crisis Communication Hub to combat the growing threat of misinformation in the country’s digital landscape.

Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), gave this assurance while hosting a delegation from the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) led by its Chairman, Major-General Chris Olukolade (retired). The meeting followed the conclusion of Nigeria’s first National Symposium on Digital Innovations in Crisis Communication.

During the discussions, Inuwa highlighted how misinformation tends to spread more rapidly than verified information due to what he termed the “novelty factor.” He noted that the disruption of traditional media channels by social platforms has created an environment where individuals and groups can easily disseminate harmful content with significant economic and social ramifications.

“There is a direct correlation between novelty and virality,” Inuwa explained. “Misinformation is often packaged as something new or shocking, which allows it to outpace accurate information. The way forward is to build public trust through credible government action and strong, strategic partnerships.”

The NITDA chief warned that AI-generated deepfakes and automated propaganda are likely to increase as Nigeria approaches the 2027 election season, making the establishment of a coordinated national response mechanism increasingly urgent.

In response to the CCC’s 12-point resolution, NITDA outlined several initiatives to expedite the implementation of the proposed communication hub. One key strategy involves strengthening digital literacy and professional training by leveraging platforms such as Cisco NetAcad to equip journalists, media professionals, and security spokespersons with skills in AI-content detection and ethical reporting.

The agency also proposed organizing regional symposiums across Nigeria to broaden grassroots participation and awareness. Additionally, NITDA plans to engage with global technology companies to facilitate faster identification and removal of content that could threaten national security.

Cybersecurity collaboration was emphasized during the meeting, with Inuwa revealing plans to work closely with relevant cyber units across critical institutions to establish multi-layered defenses against digital threats.

Major-General Olukolade noted that the call for a National Crisis Communication Hub emerged as the principal recommendation from the recent symposium held at the National Defence College. He emphasized that Nigeria must adopt proactive, predictive, and digitally-powered tools to manage emerging security and information threats effectively.

According to Olukolade, the proposed center would function as an independent, multi-stakeholder platform designed to monitor and counter harmful content during sensitive periods such as elections, while maintaining respect for democratic principles and freedom of expression.

The retired general also advocated for the development of specialized mobile applications that would enable citizens to report crimes and emergencies in real-time, effectively transforming social media and digital platforms into tools for public safety and early warning.

Both organizations agreed that digital innovation must amplify the voices of persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups, ensuring that emergency alerts and crisis information are accessible to all segments of Nigerian society.

To move from planning to implementation, NITDA and the CCC have agreed to establish a joint working team to document specific agreements and drive implementation throughout 2026. This positions the proposed hub as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s digital resilience against misinformation and emerging information threats.

The partnership comes at a critical time for Nigeria, as the country navigates increasing digital adoption amid growing concerns about online misinformation. According to recent studies, nearly 70% of Nigerian internet users have encountered false information online, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing government agencies and civil society organizations.