Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi has urged media organisations and stakeholders to invest more in fact-checking, verification systems, and digital literacy to counter the growing threat of artificial intelligence-driven disinformation.
Namadi made the appeal during the 2026 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) in Enugu, where discussions focused on the media’s role in safeguarding democracy amid the rapid evolution of digital technologies. The conference theme was “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” with a sub-theme addressing the challenge of detecting and debunking AI-generated disinformation before, during and after elections.
Speaking at the event, the governor described AI-based disinformation as one of the most significant challenges facing modern democracies. He warned that advances in artificial intelligence, image-editing software and other digital tools have made it increasingly possible to create convincing false content that can mislead the public and undermine confidence in democratic institutions.
Namadi urged media organisations to strengthen newsroom fact-checking capacity, invest in verification technologies and promote media literacy among journalists and the wider public. He said accurate, objective reporting remains essential to ensuring citizens can make informed decisions free from deceptive narratives and manipulated content.
According to the governor, the challenge facing editors extends beyond the race to break news first. Instead, he said, media professionals should focus on responsible publishing, protecting the integrity of information and helping citizens understand issues with clarity and confidence.
Namadi also called for greater collaboration across media platforms to identify and counter harmful disinformation early. He stressed the importance of ethical standards in journalism and encouraged continued investment in professional development to help journalists adapt to emerging technological challenges.
Related
- Jigawa Deploys Artificial Intelligence to Transform Public Education
- AI Deepfakes Raise New Concerns Over Nigeria’s 2027 Elections
- 35 MAAUN Students Receive Training in Fact-Checking, AI And Solutions Journalism
- Kogi Governor Urges Auditors to Embrace AI in Safeguarding Public Funds
The governor also highlighted the need for public awareness campaigns and digital literacy initiatives to help citizens recognise false or misleading content online. He noted that strengthening society’s resilience to disinformation requires a combination of responsible journalism, informed audiences and effective verification mechanisms.
The remarks come amid growing global concerns about the use of artificial intelligence to generate realistic text, images, audio and video that can be used to spread false information. Experts and policymakers worldwide have increasingly emphasised the importance of fact-checking, transparency and media literacy as key tools for addressing the risks associated with AI-generated content.
Namadi said continued investment in fact-checking infrastructure and verification systems would be critical to preserving public trust, strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring that technological innovation serves the public interest rather than undermining it.
AI Writer
Bio: Joseph Michael is an MBA graduate in Marketing from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and a passionate tech enthusiast. As a professional writer and author at AIbase.ng, he simplifies complex AI concepts, explores digital innovation, and creates practical guides for Nigerian learners and businesses. With a background in marketing and brand communication, Joseph brings clarity, insight, and real-world relevance to every article he writes.