he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that it is strengthening its monitoring and rapid-response mechanisms to tackle the growing threat of AI-generated fake news ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The commission said the increasing use of artificial intelligence to create convincing fake videos, cloned voices, fabricated documents and manipulated images could make election-related misinformation and disinformation more difficult to detect.
Deputy Director, Voter Education and Publicity at INEC, Wilfred Ifogah, said the commission had an AI division, a media monitoring unit and a dedicated rapid-response team to identify and address fabricated electoral content.
INEC Warns Nigerians Against Fake Results
Ifogah urged Nigerians to rely on information and election results released through INEC’s verified communication channels.
“You know we have constantly maintained that Nigerians should only rely on results from INEC through our official communication channels,” he said.
He explained that the commission’s monitoring mechanisms would be used to identify fake content, while disclaimers would be issued where necessary.
“That is the reason why we have a rapid response team and a vibrant media monitoring unit. We respond as soon as the content is flagged,” Ifogah added.
According to him, INEC is also working with major technology and social media platforms, including Meta, X, TikTok, Google and WhatsApp, as part of efforts to address election-related misinformation and disinformation.
AI Makes Fake Content Harder To Detect
The development comes amid concerns that generative AI has made it easier to produce convincing false content within a short period.
Abuja-based cybersecurity and AI expert, Salami Daniel, said AI had significantly lowered the barrier to creating fake audio, videos, images and documents.
“Artificial Intelligence has significantly lowered the barrier to producing convincing fake audio, videos, images and documents,” Daniel said.
He warned that fabricated content could be produced and circulated widely before the affected person or institution had an opportunity to respond.
According to him, AI tools can also be used to clone voices and imitate the appearance and mannerisms of public officials, potentially making fabricated messages attributed to INEC or political figures appear authentic.
Daniel urged election stakeholders to move beyond simply debunking false content after it had already gone viral.
He called for systems that would allow official election results, statements, videos and other electoral materials to be authenticated quickly.
Experts Urge Faster Verification
Opeyemi Kehinde, an editor at FactCheckHub and coordinator of the Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition, urged journalists to exercise caution before publishing or amplifying unusual election-related content.
“Before publishing or amplifying unusual election-related audio, videos, screenshots or documents, they should verify the material from the original source and cross-check it with the relevant authority,” he said.
Kehinde noted that although technology could assist in identifying AI-generated content, no single detection tool was completely reliable.
He said the most effective approach would combine technical detection, human verification, source authentication and rapid communication from trusted institutions.
2023 Election Exposed Misinformation Challenge
The concerns are coming against the backdrop of the extensive circulation of false claims and manipulated materials during the 2023 general elections.
The Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition had established election situation rooms in Abuja, Lagos and the United Kingdom during the 2023 polls to monitor misinformation and disinformation capable of undermining confidence in the electoral process.
A review by FactCheckHub showed that 127 claims were fact-checked during the presidential/National Assembly and governorship/State Assembly elections.
Videos accounted for a significant proportion of the materials subjected to verification, while fabricated graphics and old videos were also circulated as though they were connected to the elections.
Fake Results Not The Only Concern
Fact-checker Kamaru Danlami said the threat ahead of 2027 would extend beyond fabricated election results.
According to him, AI-generated content could also be used to spread false claims about voting procedures, polling units, candidates, electoral officials and incidents at polling stations.
“What has changed is that Artificial Intelligence now gives those producing false information more sophisticated tools to make fabricated content appear authentic,” Danlami said.
He urged voters to scrutinise the sources of election-related information, particularly sensational audio, videos and screenshots circulated without clear attribution.
Danlami also called for stronger coordination among INEC, political parties, media organisations, technology platforms and fact-checking groups.
INEC Faces Race Against Viral Falsehoods
As the 2027 elections approach, the challenge for INEC will not only be detecting fabricated content but also ensuring that verified information reaches voters quickly enough.
Experts say the speed at which AI-generated content can be created and distributed means that delayed responses could allow false information to spread widely before corrections are issued.
INEC has therefore urged Nigerians to verify election-related claims through its official communication channels, while the commission continues to deploy its AI, media-monitoring and rapid-response mechanisms ahead of the elections.
