The European Union has sounded the alarm on the growing threat of disinformation to Nigeria’s democracy, warning that false and misleading content is gravely endangering the country’s democratic institutions and public trust.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, made the warning at a one-day workshop on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) in Abuja, stating that Nigeria faces an unprecedented level of disinformation, exacerbating ethnic and religious tensions.
Mignot emphasized that disinformation, regardless of its origin or intent, harms society by compromising media integrity, undermining trust in public institutions, and weakening citizens’ ability to make informed decisions. He noted that the consequences are severe when disinformation is deliberately crafted to deceive and disseminated to unsuspecting citizens.
The ambassador highlighted the EU’s efforts to combat disinformation, including collaborations with fact-checking organizations like Dubawa, training programs for editors, and media literacy initiatives. He stressed that journalists must remain credible and prioritize accuracy over sensationalism to serve as Nigeria’s strongest defense against manipulation.
According to a 2024 European Parliament report, 85% of people globally are worried about disinformation’s impact, while 87% believe it has distorted political life.
The EU’s warning comes as Nigeria prepares for future elections, with analysts noting that disinformation campaigns have been used to shape political perceptions and undermine democratic processes.
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