By Gabriel Ameh
The Federal Government is strengthening its partnership with the United Kingdom to combat fake news, misinformation and the growing misuse of artificial intelligence ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the new British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Peter Vowles.
The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations, improving public communication and exploring areas of cooperation in addressing emerging challenges in the information and digital media landscape.
Idris identified misinformation and disinformation as serious threats to electoral credibility, warning that the spread of fake news could undermine public confidence and disrupt the electoral process.
He described the growing influence of false information, particularly during election periods, as one of the major challenges facing Nigeria.
“The threat of fake news and misinformation, and how that can be an obstacle to a credible election, is one of the biggest challenges we have as Nigerians now,” the minister said.
He explained that Nigeria was already working with the United Kingdom and other international partners to promote responsible information management and support a credible electoral process.
The minister also welcomed Britain’s interest in Nigeria’s information environment, expressing the Federal Government’s readiness to deepen cooperation on public communication, artificial intelligence and the changing digital media landscape.
In his response, British High Commissioner Peter Vowles said his visit provided an opportunity to strengthen relations between both countries and gain a better understanding of Nigeria’s information environment.
Vowles acknowledged that Nigeria and the United Kingdom faced similar challenges, particularly the spread of misinformation and the potential misuse of artificial intelligence.
He expressed interest in exploring practical ways both countries could share experiences and develop common approaches to tackling the challenges.
The discussions come as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, with concerns growing over the potential use of artificial intelligence, manipulated content and false information to influence public opinion and undermine electoral trust.
Stronger international cooperation, media responsibility and public awareness are increasingly important in protecting citizens from misleading information and ensuring access to credible information ahead of the elections.
