Religious leaders and media stakeholders have called for stronger efforts to combat misinformation, disinformation and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), warning that the spread of false information could heighten religious tensions, trigger communal violence and undermine Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The call was made at 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 in Jos, Plateau State.
The workshop, themed “Scaling Faith-Based Resilience Against Disinformation and FIMI,” commenced on October 27 and is expected to end on October 28, 2026, with a focus on strengthening the capacity of religious leaders to identify false narratives, verify information and promote peaceful coexistence.
Speaking at the opening, Alhassan Bala, Editor of Alkalanci, warned that the growing use of artificial intelligence to generate misleading images, videos and audio recordings was making it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish authentic information from fabricated content.
He said such materials could be deliberately circulated to provoke religious and communal tensions, resulting in violence, destruction of property and loss of lives.
Bala also expressed concern that disinformation ahead of the 2027 elections could mislead voters, discourage electoral participation and weaken public confidence in the democratic process.
He urged religious leaders to verify information before sharing it with their congregations, advising Nigerians to adopt responsible social media practices.
“When in doubt, do not share,” he said, emphasising the need to establish the authenticity of information before circulating it.
Oriola Odetoye, Cyber and Hybrid Threats Programme Lead at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Integrated Security Fund (FCDO ISF) West Africa, said the initiative was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to identify and respond to foreign information manipulation and other hybrid threats.
Odetoye explained that the programme, implemented under the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership, would cover Plateau, Kano, Adamawa and Benue states, complementing existing federal-level efforts to address information-related security challenges.
He identified religious and community leaders as critical stakeholders because their influence could either help de-escalate tensions or contribute to their spread.
Representing Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Haruna Tanko cautioned against the use of false information for political, religious or personal interests, warning that such practices could create unnecessary fear, deepen divisions and trigger crises as political activities intensify.
He called on Muslims and Christians to uphold truthfulness, peace and responsible communication in accordance with the values of their respective faiths.
Tanko also stressed the need for accountable leadership and improved public service, raising concerns about corruption and declining educational standards.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Plateau State Chapter, Rev. Dr. Dunka Gomwalk, urged religious leaders to strengthen interfaith dialogue and discourage the circulation of unverified claims.
Gomwalk warned that careless social media posts and hasty public statements could inflame religious tensions and undermine peacebuilding efforts.
He called on religious leaders to encourage their followers to investigate claims, verify sources and avoid sharing content capable of provoking hostility.
The CAN chairman expressed hope that the workshop would produce a common strategy and practical action plans to promote moderation, truthfulness and peaceful coexistence among religious communities.
Earlier, Bamas Victoria, Programme Manager at Alkalanci, said the organisation was working to strengthen community resilience against misinformation and disinformation through practical training, fact-checking and public awareness initiatives.
Victoria explained that the programme brings together religious leaders, educators and other stakeholders to improve their understanding of information manipulation and equip them with skills to identify and verify misleading content.
She said the initiative combines academic knowledge with practical approaches, including the use of English and local languages, to reach diverse communities effectively.
According to her, previous engagements and follow-up training sessions had helped participants share their knowledge with wider audiences, expressing optimism that sustained collaboration would strengthen the programme’s impact.
The first day of the workshop featured sessions on the responsibilities of Christian and Muslim leaders in the digital age, the spread of false information through social media and messaging applications, and techniques used to disguise propaganda as credible information.
The discussions highlighted the importance of verification, responsible communication and collaboration between religious institutions and media organisations in preventing the weaponisation of information.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the organisers said the initiative seeks to position religious leaders as advocates for truth and peace, helping communities resist manipulative narratives before they escalate into religious, communal or political violence.
