NITDA to Partner NUJ FCT to Counter Disinformation Ahead of 2027 Elections By Raymond Enoch
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to partnering with the Nigeria Union of Journalists FCT Council to combat disinformation and promote credible information dissemination ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abdullahi made the pledge in a goodwill message delivered during the 2026 NUJ FCT Press Week held in Abuja.
He described the theme of the press week, “2027 Elections: Defending Nigeria’s Democracy in the Age of Disinformation,” as timely and significant, stressing that the rapid expansion of digital technology has increased access to information while also fueling the spread of falsehoods and manipulation.
According to him, the growing wave of misinformation and disinformation poses a serious threat to democratic institutions by eroding public trust and distorting facts.
> “We live in an era where technology has democratized the flow of information, but it has also weaponized falsehoods. Disinformation does not just distort facts; it erodes the very trust that holds a democratic society together,” he stated.
The NITDA boss noted that journalists remain critical defenders of truth, transparency, and democratic accountability, emphasizing that technology alone cannot win the fight against fake news without professional ethics and integrity.
> “At NITDA, we firmly believe that technology should be an instrument for empowerment, not polarization. However, code and algorithms alone cannot fight disinformation—it requires human integrity, critical thinking, and a steadfast commitment to the truth,” Abdullahi added.
He assured media practitioners of the agency’s continued support through digital literacy programmes, innovative tools, and strategic frameworks designed to help journalists navigate the evolving digital information ecosystem safely and effectively.
Abdullahi also commended the NUJ FCT Council under the leadership of Grace Ike for organizing what he described as a holistic and impactful press week programme that blends intellectual engagement, mental health advocacy, and community outreach.
He expressed confidence that discussions and resolutions from the event would contribute meaningfully to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and fostering a more informed society.
The 2026 NUJ FCT Press Week attracted media professionals, government officials, security representatives, and other stakeholders from across the country.
