The Independent National Electoral Commission has raised concerns over the growing use of artificial intelligence to produce and circulate manipulated content, warning that the trend could pose a serious challenge to information credibility ahead of the 2027 elections. The commission said the widespread availability of generative AI had made the production of fabricated audio, video […]
The Independent National Electoral Commission has raised concerns over the growing use of artificial intelligence to produce and circulate manipulated content, warning that the trend could pose a serious challenge to information credibility ahead of the 2027 elections.
The commission said the widespread availability of generative AI had made the production of fabricated audio, video and images cheaper, while simultaneously making the content more difficult to detect.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Monday by INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi.
National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, also spoke about the threat in Abuja at a capacity-building workshop for Public Affairs Officers from different states.
Haruna explained that the concern was not limited to fake videos, photographs or audio recordings, saying AI could also be used to develop targeted messages that expose different voter groups to conflicting narratives.
He said the emergence of generative AI had made manipulated content both more affordable to produce and harder to identify, creating a new challenge for election communication.
Haruna therefore stressed the need to view electoral technology and communication as interconnected elements of election management.
He cited the recent position of INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, who said the credibility of elections now extends beyond ballot papers, Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines and result sheets.
According to Haruna, Amupitan had emphasised that the information environment in which voters make decisions is also important to electoral credibility.
He said the INEC chairman had called for electoral technology and electoral communication to be handled as a single discipline rather than as separate areas.
The workshop was organised under the theme, “Strengthening PAOs Capacity for Credible, Verified and Responsible Election Communication Towards 2027.”
Haruna said the programme was designed to equip Public Affairs Officers with practical skills to deal with the changing information environment and emerging communication challenges ahead of the elections.
He described the officers as INEC’s frontline communicators at the state level, saying the credibility of the commission’s communication was closely connected to their work.
He added that participants would be trained in verification, escalation and consistent messaging, with their ability to apply the skills tested in real-time situations as the elections draw closer.
Eta-Messi, in her welcome remarks, said the officers played a major role in shaping public understanding of INEC and its activities.
She said Nigerians often form their impressions of the commission, its values and the reliability of its information through the communication work carried out by the officers.
The director also noted that INEC remains under constant public scrutiny and frequently faces attempts to misrepresent its activities and weaken public confidence.
She disclosed that the capacity-building programme would continue beyond the current workshop, revealing that additional interventions were being planned with support from development partners.
Eta-Messi described the current training as the beginning of sustained engagement aimed at preparing the officers for their responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director, Information and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, said the programme would improve the practical communication abilities of Public Affairs Officers as the 2027 elections approach.
Ifogah said participants would receive clarification on escalation procedures involving Public Affairs Officers, heads of department, the Voter Education and Publicity Department and Resident Electoral Commissioners.
He added that the training would improve consistency in press releases, talking points and social media communication.
According to him, the programme would also strengthen the officers’ capacity to monitor the information environment and respond effectively to misinformation and disinformation.
Ifogah said participants would also learn about the responsible use of artificial intelligence in communication, including its applications, limitations and safeguards required for confidentiality and verification.
He said the ultimate expectation was for participants to develop a common understanding of the standards of accuracy, consistency and professionalism required of INEC Public Affairs Officers ahead of the 2027 general elections.