The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned Nigerian editors and newsroom managers about the growing use of artificial intelligence to create deepfakes, cloned audio and fabricated election results ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan issued the warning on Thursday at the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu, where he urged newsrooms to strengthen digital verification and fact-checking practices.
Represented by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Chukwuemeka Chukwu, Amupitan said advances in generative AI had made it easier for malicious actors to create convincing fake content that could be circulated rapidly during elections.
According to him, fabricated videos of electoral officials, cloned voices and fake result sheets could be produced and distributed within minutes of the close of polls.
He warned that the problem could go beyond spreading false information, as repeated exposure to convincing fake content could make citizens question even genuine information from legitimate authorities.
“When deepfakes render lies believable, real truth is greeted with skepticism. Cynicism replaces civic engagement,” Amupitan said.
The INEC chairman called on editors to establish specialised fact-checking desks and use forensic image-analysis tools to verify suspicious content. He also urged news organisations to confirm election results through official INEC channels before publication.
Amupitan further cautioned media organisations against publishing or amplifying privately collated election results, particularly figures circulated by political actors on social media.
INEC Establishes AI Division
To respond to the changing information environment, Amupitan disclosed that INEC is establishing a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division within its Information and Communications Technology Department.
The move is expected to strengthen the commission’s ability to identify and respond to AI-generated misinformation and other forms of digital manipulation during the electoral process.
He also raised concerns about the welfare of journalists, noting that poor remuneration could leave some media workers more vulnerable to political inducement.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors also stressed the media’s responsibility to protect democratic institutions by holding public officials accountable and providing space for diverse voices.
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, separately called for a joint rapid-response desk involving newsrooms to tackle election misinformation ahead of the 2027 polls.
