The Independent National Electoral Commission has begun strengthening the capacity of its public affairs officers to identify and respond to AI-generated misinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC said the move was necessary as advances in generative artificial intelligence have made it easier and cheaper to create fake audio, videos and images that can be difficult to distinguish from genuine content.
The commission made this known on Monday in Abuja at a capacity-building workshop for its public affairs officers, organised by the Voter Education and Publicity Department.
The workshop, themed “Strengthening PAOs’ Capacity for Credible, Verified and Responsible Election Communication Towards 2027,” focused on information verification, misinformation and disinformation management, media engagement and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
Speaking at the event, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said effective communication would be critical to maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
Haruna, who quoted INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the credibility of elections now depended not only on ballot papers, BVAS machines and result sheets but also on the information environment in which voters made decisions.
He said generative AI had made it significantly easier to produce manipulated audio, videos and images, while its misuse could also involve targeted messages designed to present conflicting narratives to different groups of voters.
“This is no longer a distant, theoretical risk to this commission,” Haruna said.
He added that the volume and speed of information about INEC and the electoral process were expected to increase as the 2027 elections approached, making verification and clear communication increasingly important.
According to him, public affairs officers would need to be able to identify, verify and respond quickly to misinformation and disinformation while maintaining consistent communication across different platforms.
Haruna said the officers would also be introduced to practical applications of AI in communication work, alongside its limitations and the safeguards required when using the technology.
INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said the workshop came at a critical time as the commission prepared for the 2027 elections.
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Eta-Messi described public affairs officers as the main link between INEC, the media and Nigerians in their respective states, stressing the need for accuracy, consistency and credibility in their communication.
She said the commission faced constant attempts to misrepresent its activities and undermine public confidence, making continuous training of its communication personnel necessary.
INEC Deputy Director of Information and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, said the workshop would also improve the officers’ ability to write clearly for different audiences and platforms.
He said the programme would equip participants to monitor traditional and social media, identify misinformation and disinformation, verify information and follow established procedures for responding to emerging issues.
Ifogah added that the training would introduce officers to responsible uses of AI in communication, including its practical applications, limitations and safeguards relating to confidentiality and verification.
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Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
