The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to deepen its partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council to counter disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
NITDA Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi, announced this in a goodwill message delivered at the 2026 NUJ FCT Press Week in Abuja, with the theme: “2027 Elections: Defending Nigeria’s Democracy in the Age of Disinformation.”
Abdullahi described the theme as timely and critical, warning that while digital technology has expanded access to information, it has simultaneously increased the spread of falsehood and manipulation.
According to him, disinformation poses a major threat to democratic values because it undermines public trust and distorts facts.
“We live in an era where technology has democratized the flow of information, but it has also weaponized falsehoods. Disinformation does not just distort facts; it erodes the very trust that holds a democratic society together,” he said.
The NITDA boss, who was represented by the Director of Corporate Communication and Media Relations, Mrs. Hadiza Umar, said journalists remain frontline defenders of truth and democratic accountability, stressing that technology alone cannot address the challenge of fake news and misinformation without professional ethics and integrity.
“At NITDA, we firmly believe that technology should be an instrument for empowerment, not polarization. However, code and algorithms alone cannot fight disinformation—it requires human integrity, critical thinking, and a steadfast commitment to the truth,” he stated.
He assured journalists of the agency’s continued support through digital literacy programmes, tools, and frameworks aimed at helping media professionals navigate the evolving digital information space safely and effectively.
Abdullahi also commended the NUJ FCT Council under the leadership of Comrade Grace Ike for organising what he described as a holistic and impactful press week programme that combines intellectual engagement with mental health advocacy and community outreach.
He expressed optimism that deliberations during the event would contribute to strengthening democracy and promoting an informed society.
The 2026 NUJ FCT Press Week attracted media practitioners, government officials, security representatives, and other stakeholders from across the country.
