The Centre for Crisis Communication has warned that artificial intelligence-generated fake news, deepfakes and coordinated disinformation campaigns pose growing threats to Nigeria’s national security, public trust and stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The centre urged the Federal Government to establish a functional technological framework to detect and counter disinformation while protecting freedom of expression and other fundamental rights.
The warning was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the centre’s two-day Second National Symposium on Crisis Communication in Kaduna.
The symposium, themed “Inter-Agency Collaboration, Public Trust and Cyber Threat Management in Crisis Communication,” brought together more than 150 participants from the military, security and intelligence agencies, emergency responders, government institutions, academia and the media.
Participants warned that false information circulated during emergencies could trigger panic, divert critical resources, endanger lives, disrupt security operations and erode public confidence in government institutions.
They therefore recommended the establishment of an Integrated National Crisis Information Architecture to harmonise information-sharing and public communication among security agencies and other relevant institutions.
Centre calls for stronger AI regulation
The participants also called for appropriate regulatory frameworks for social media platforms and AI applications to safeguard national security while protecting freedom of expression, fundamental rights and due process.
They urged the Centre for Crisis Communication and relevant stakeholders to organise sensitisation programmes for political actors, journalists and media editors ahead of the 2027 elections.
The programmes, they said, should promote responsible communication and improve awareness of the risks posed by AI-generated content and coordinated disinformation.
Olukolade, Maiyaki warn against misinformation
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Centre for Crisis Communication, Major General Chris Olukolade (retd.), stressed the importance of effective crisis communication to national security and public safety.
He noted that the need for reliable communication had become more important as Nigeria approached the 2027 elections amid growing concerns over 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 national security threats.
Mr Maiyaki advocated sensitisation programmes to educate political actors on responsible communication.
Participants demand better coordination
The keynote speaker, Managing Director of Beacon Security and Innovation Limited, Dr Kabiru Adamu, represented by Samuel Aruwan, highlighted the different security challenges confronting Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
He stressed the need for coordinated communication and stronger collaboration among security agencies.
The communiqué further called for stronger early-warning systems, joint threat monitoring, regular training and secure information-sharing mechanisms.
Participants warned that conflicting statements from security agencies could confuse the public and undermine institutional credibility.
They recommended that designated spokespersons have timely access to verified information, subject to operational security requirements.
The communiqué was signed by Commodore Kabir Aliyu (retd.) of the Centre for Crisis Communication and Ikramat Umar Muazu of the National Emergency Management Agency.
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