ABUJA, NIGERIA – The Nigerian Presidency has warned citizens against the spread of religious disinformation and deepfake videos, cautioning that such content is increasingly being used to incite division and manipulate public opinion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The warning comes amid rising concerns over the growing use of artificial intelligence-generated media and digitally altered content on social media platforms, which officials say could threaten national unity if left unchecked.
Government spokespersons stated that malicious actors are deliberately circulating fake videos and misleading narratives designed to inflame religious tensions and undermine trust in public institutions.
The Presidency emphasized the importance of verifying information before sharing it, urging Nigerians to rely only on credible and verified news sources for political and religious content.
Officials noted that Nigeria’s diverse religious landscape makes it particularly vulnerable to misinformation campaigns that exploit sensitive beliefs and identities.
They further warned that deepfake technology, which can realistically manipulate audio and video content, poses a serious challenge to information integrity in the digital age.
The Presidency stressed that such content is often engineered to provoke emotional reactions, spread falsehoods, and disrupt peaceful coexistence among citizens.
As part of its response strategy, the government said it is working with relevant security and regulatory agencies to monitor, identify, and counter coordinated disinformation efforts across digital platforms.
Citizens were also encouraged to report suspicious content and avoid participating in the viral spread of unverified videos and messages.
Analysts note that misinformation has become a growing global challenge, particularly during election periods, where political actors and external influences may attempt to sway public perception.
Nigeria, in particular, has experienced repeated concerns over fake news circulation on social media, with religious and ethnic narratives often being exploited for political gain.
The warning also comes as preparations intensify for the 2027 elections, with political communication and online campaigning expected to play a major role in shaping voter engagement.
Experts say the rise of artificial intelligence tools has made it easier to create highly convincing fake videos, increasing the risk of public deception if digital literacy remains low.
The Presidency reiterated its commitment to safeguarding democratic processes and ensuring that misinformation does not undermine peace, stability, or electoral integrity.
Religious leaders and civil society groups have also previously called for increased awareness campaigns to educate citizens on identifying manipulated content online.
Observers believe that tackling disinformation will require collaboration between government agencies, tech platforms, media organizations, and the general public.
As the political season approaches, authorities are expected to intensify public sensitization efforts to reduce the impact of fake news and strengthen trust in credible information sources.
