The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated concrete measures to tackle the growing threat of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven misinformation, deepfakes, and digital manipulation, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris announced on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in Abuja.
During a high-level meeting with Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), and his management team, Idris emphasized that strengthening media and information literacy is now a key priority to equip citizens with the tools to identify and resist AI-generated falsehoods and manipulative content.
“AI-driven misinformation and digital manipulation pose serious challenges to national stability and public trust,” the minister stated. He outlined plans to expand nationwide campaigns, educational programmes, and partnerships with media houses, civil society, and technology platforms to build resilience against such threats.
Idris also stressed the critical role of effective communication in public service reforms, warning that poorly explained changes often breed resistance and suspicion. “Reforms must not only be implemented; they must also be effectively communicated. Where reforms are not properly understood, there is always resistance. Our duty is to ensure Nigerians understand that these reforms are designed for their greater good,” he said.
The minister highlighted tangible gains from ongoing digitisation reforms in public financial management, including improved transparency, reduced leakages, and better accountability across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). Agencies under his ministry—such as the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON), and News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)—will continue to play a central role in amplifying reform messages and educating the public on their benefits.
Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, DG of the BPSR, confirmed that his bureau is actively collaborating with the Ministry of Information to enhance reform communication strategies and promote transparency in MDAs. He noted that digitisation initiatives have significantly reduced irregularities, including the elimination of ghost workers and improved payroll integrity at federal, state, and local government levels.
The meeting reflects the Tinubu administration’s dual focus on safeguarding the information ecosystem against emerging digital threats while accelerating public sector reforms to improve service delivery, eliminate waste, and restore public confidence.
The announcement comes amid rising global concern over AI-generated misinformation, deepfakes, and synthetic media, which have been used to spread disinformation, influence elections, and undermine trust in institutions. Nigeria has witnessed several high-profile cases of manipulated audio, video, and images targeting political figures, security agencies, and electoral processes in recent years.
The government’s emphasis on media literacy aligns with broader international efforts, including those by UNESCO and the European Union, to combat AI-enabled disinformation while protecting freedom of expression.
No specific timeline, legislative proposals, or dedicated task force details were provided during the meeting, but Idris indicated that inter-agency coordination and public awareness campaigns would be intensified in the coming months.
The collaboration between the Ministry of Information and the BPSR is expected to produce joint strategies for communicating reforms and countering misinformation, with a particular focus on reaching rural and underserved communities through NTA, FRCN, VON, and NAN platforms.
