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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), has raised the alarm over the growing spread of misinformation and fake news in Nigeria, warning that the trend could pose serious risks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, the CCC Chairman, Major General Chris Olukolade (Rtd), revealed that their latest media monitoring report shows a significant rise in politically motivated disinformation, insecurity-related narratives, and false information circulating across digital platforms.
Olukolade said the study, conducted using PRrev, an AI-driven media monitoring and social listening tool developed by Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), tracked conversations on platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, WhatsApp groups, online news sites, and diaspora forums.
According to him, the analysis showed that private messaging platforms, especially WhatsApp, have become major channels for spreading fake news, making detection and response more difficult.
Olukolade added that communication gaps during crises, particularly delayed or unclear official statements, often create opportunities for rumours and speculation to dominate public discourse, noting that these trends could weaken public trust and threaten national stability if left unchecked.
As part of its response, the CCC announced plans to establish a Crisis Communication Hub (CCHub), which will serve as an independent, multi‑stakeholder coordination platform for managing information during emergencies. The hub, he said, will focus on detecting and countering fake news in real time, supporting communication efforts at federal, state, and local levels, and strengthening public trust in official responses.
He emphasised that the CCHub will not function as a censorship body, but as a collaborative centre bringing together government agencies, media organisations, civil society, and technology partners to ensure accurate and timely information reaches the public.
