2027 Elections: Centre Warns AI Fake News Could Threaten Nigeria’s National Security

The Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) has warned that artificial intelligence-generated fake news, deepfakes and coordinated disinformation campaigns could threaten Nigeria’s national security and public trust ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The centre called on the Federal Government to establish an effective technological framework to detect and counter false information while safeguarding freedom of expression, fundamental rights and due process.

The warning was contained in a communiqué issued after the centre’s two-day Second National Symposium on Crisis Communication, held in Kaduna on Wednesday. The event attracted more than 150 participants from security and intelligence agencies, the military, emergency response organisations, government institutions, academia and the media.

Participants warned that false information circulated during emergencies could trigger panic, endanger lives, disrupt security operations and weaken public confidence in government institutions. They recommended the establishment of an Integrated National Crisis Information Architecture to improve information-sharing and coordinate public communication among relevant agencies.

In his welcome address, the CCC Chairman, Major-General Chris Olukolade (retd.), stressed the importance of crisis communication to national security and public safety, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections amid concerns about AI-generated deepfakes and information manipulation.

Declaring the symposium open on behalf of Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the state Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, described misinformation and disinformation as emerging security threats. He also called for awareness programmes to encourage responsible communication among political actors.

The keynote speaker, Managing Director of Beacon Security and Innovation Limited, Dr Kabiru Adamu, represented by Samuel Aruwan, highlighted the security challenges facing the country’s six geopolitical zones and called for stronger coordination and collaboration among security agencies.

The communiqué also urged authorities to develop appropriate regulatory frameworks for social media platforms and AI applications without undermining fundamental rights. Other recommendations included stronger early-warning systems, joint threat monitoring, regular training and secure information-sharing mechanisms ahead of the elections.

The participants further warned that conflicting statements from security agencies could confuse the public and damage institutional credibility. They called for designated spokespersons to have timely access to verified information, subject to operational security requirements. The communiqué was signed by Commodore Kabir Aliyu (retd.) of the CCC and Ikramat Umar Muazu of the National Emergency Management Agency.