NITDA pledges partnership with NUJ FCT to tackle disinformation ahead of 2027 polls

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has pledged to deepen collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, in efforts to combat disinformation and strengthen credible information dissemination ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, made the commitment in a goodwill message delivered during the 2026 NUJ FCT Press Week in Abuja.

He described the theme of the press week, “2027 Elections: Defending Nigeria’s Democracy in the Age of Disinformation,” as timely, noting that the rapid expansion of digital technology has improved access to information while also increasing the spread of falsehoods and manipulated content.

According to him, disinformation poses a serious threat to democracy by eroding public trust and distorting facts in the information ecosystem.

> “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.

Abdullahi stressed that journalists remain key defenders of truth and accountability in society, adding that technology alone cannot solve the challenge of misinformation without strong ethical standards and professional 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 that NITDA would continue to support journalists through digital literacy initiatives, tools, and frameworks designed to help media practitioners navigate the fast-evolving digital information space more effectively.

Abdullahi also commended the leadership of the NUJ FCT Council under Comrade Grace Ike, describing the 2026 Press Week as well-organised and impactful, particularly in its blend of intellectual discourse, mental health awareness, and community engagement.

He expressed confidence that discussions from the event would contribute significantly to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and promoting an informed citizenry ahead of the 2027 elections.

The 2026 NUJ FCT Press Week attracted journalists, government officials, security agencies, and other key stakeholders from across the country.