The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday began a two-day capacity-building workshop for staff of its Voter Education and Publicity Department in Keffi, Nasarawa State, aimed at improving strategic communication and monitoring of misinformation ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
In a statement on its official X page on Wednesday, Deputy Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Wilfred Ifogah, who represented the Director, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, described the training as “timely and relevant, as the Commission continues preparations for electoral activities in 2026 and beyond.”
He added that although the programme had been planned before the previous elections, operational demands had delayed it.
Ifogah highlighted the challenges posed by emerging technologies and artificial intelligence in the spread of false information.
“We must be proactive in monitoring the media space, responding effectively to false narratives, and protecting the integrity of the electoral process,” he said, urging participants to approach the sessions with open minds and share practical experiences.
He also emphasised the need for collaboration within INEC and with stakeholders.
“Interdepartmental collaboration and engagement with stakeholders are critical in building public trust and ensuring credible elections,” Ifogah noted.
The training, organised in partnership with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, began with participant introductions by Project Manager for IFES Nigeria, Ms. Judith Toryem, IFES Kenya Country Director and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for Nigeria, Mr. Obaje Ukeh, delivered a session on strategic communication, public perception, and social media strategies in electoral contexts, noting that “how information is managed can significantly influence citizens’ confidence in the electoral process.”
The Commission concluded that the workshop is expected to strengthen INEC staff capacity to effectively navigate the evolving information landscape and enhance public confidence in the electoral process ahead of future elections.
In a related development, INEC warned the public to disregard a false article circulating online claiming the Commission had released the timetable for the 2027 General Elections.
INEC described the information as “not authentic and should be disregarded in its entirety,” stressing that it has not released “any official timetable, schedule of activities, or dates for the 2027 General Elections.”
