Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 general elections face growing information challenges, with journalists, civil society groups and election stakeholders warning that misinformation, legal pressure on reporters and weak protection of voter data could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

Participants at a media and civil society roundtable in Lagos called for stronger cooperation between news organisations, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society and security agencies to improve access to verified information before and during the elections.

The discussion also focused on the safety of journalists, electoral violence, vote buying, voter apathy and the increasing use of digital platforms in election-related activities.

The roundtable, organised by Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) Canada in partnership with the Human Rights Journalists Network Nigeria (HRJN) and the International Press Centre (IPC), was held under the theme, “Mitigating the Impact of SLAPP Laws on Information Ecosystems and Building Newsroom Resilience.”

Information gaps raise concern ahead of 2027

Representatives and participants said gaps in official communication could create opportunities for false claims to spread, particularly as voters increasingly rely on social media for election information.

Representing INEC’s Voter Education and Publicity Department in Lagos, Mrs Esther Emeh urged citizens to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate in elections.

She also advised journalists to verify information before publication, especially claims circulating on social media.

Participants, however, called for more proactive communication from INEC to reduce information gaps that could contribute to misinformation and disinformation.

The concern is significant because election-related claims can spread rapidly online, making it difficult for voters to distinguish official information from misleading or fabricated content.

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Voter data becomes part of election integrity debate

The roundtable also expanded the discussion beyond traditional election reporting to the protection of citizens’ personal information.

Representatives of the Digital Rights Lawyers Initiative and Paradigm Initiative raised concerns about the handling of sensitive voter information as more parts of the electoral process become digital.

They specifically highlighted information linked to the National Identification Number (NIN) and PVC registration, calling for stronger safeguards around citizens’ privacy.

Participants argued that protecting electoral data is important not only for individual privacy but also for public confidence in digital election systems.

Journalists face legal, security pressures

Another major concern was the environment in which journalists will operate during the election period.

Participants said reporters covering elections need a stronger understanding of the laws governing electoral reporting and access to information, including the Electoral Act 2022.

They also called for greater protection against intimidation and other pressures that could discourage public-interest reporting.

The issue was discussed within the broader context of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), which can place legal and financial pressure on journalists and media organisations.

IPC Executive Director Lanre Arogundade stressed the importance of protecting human rights while strengthening journalism’s ability to hold public institutions accountable.

He recalled the restrictions faced by journalists during Nigeria’s military era and said the need to protect citizens’ rights remains relevant under democracy.

“The more we fight for human rights, the more we fight for ourselves,” Arogundade said.

Representatives of JHR Canada, including Michael Cooke and Murdoch Davis of Davis Cooke Media, also highlighted the relationship between journalism, human rights and democratic participation.

They emphasised continued training in digital journalism, investigative reporting and journalist safety.

Vote buying, apathy among concerns

Participants also raised concerns about vote buying, early campaigning and voter apathy, as well as difficulties citizens may encounter when accessing voter-related services.

They called for impartial election reporting and better public access to reliable information about candidates and electoral processes.

There were also calls for closer cooperation between INEC, security agencies, civil society organisations and the media to improve confidence in the electoral process.

The participants said newsrooms should strengthen their fact-checking capacity and work more closely with civil society groups before, during and after the elections.

Calls for safer electoral incident reporting

Electoral violence was another concern discussed at the meeting, particularly incidents that could occur around polling units and collation centres.

Participants called for mechanisms that would allow citizens to safely report electoral incidents and provide supporting evidence such as photographs and videos.

However, they stressed that such material should be independently verified before publication.

The approach would allow the media and civil society organisations to document incidents while reducing the risk of unverified claims becoming part of the election information cycle.

What happens next?

The organisers said building a resilient information ecosystem ahead of 2027 would require sustained investment in fact-checking, digital security, legal awareness, journalist safety and professional journalism standards.

Closing the engagement, moderator Fidelis Mbah urged journalists to strengthen their fact-checking practices and guard against misinformation and disinformation.

He also called for stronger cooperation between media professionals and civil society organisations to support responsible journalism and protect the public interest.

The organisers said the Lagos roundtable formed part of wider efforts to strengthen the capacity of journalists and civil society organisations to contribute to credible, inclusive and accountable democratic processes ahead of the 2027 elections.

Miss Yejide Adebola of Lagos Information has emerged as the first-ever Miss NUJ, taking the crown at the maiden edition of the beauty pageant organised as part of the 2026 Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, Press Week.

Adebola defeated four other contestants at the Press Week Media Rendezvous on Thursday, in a contest that combined beauty, confidence, talent and public presentation.

Her victory adds a new dimension to the annual NUJ Press Week activities, bringing journalists and media professionals together around a platform that also highlights talent and personal development.

Five journalists competed for the crown

The maiden contest featured five contestants representing different media organisations in Lagos.

Adebola, representing Lagos Information, finished first, while Yetunde Apanisile of LTV8 emerged as first runner-up.

Amaka Florence Emeka of BusinessPlus took third place, followed by Roberta Okpiaifor and Favour Fajumobi, both of Traffic Radio, who finished fourth and fifth respectively.

The contestants showcased their talents before the judges as representatives from NUJ chapels turned out for the event.

The organisers said the competition was designed to provide participants with an opportunity to demonstrate their talents and confidence beyond their regular professional roles.

Sponsor links pageant to professional development

Jerry Goldman, General Manager of AOS Learning Hub, which sponsored the prizes, said the organisation was pleased to support an initiative that celebrates talent while encouraging personal development.

Goldman said AOS Learning Hub is focused on helping people acquire digital, professional and future-ready skills that can create opportunities for individuals, businesses and organisations.

He said the company believed talent should be “discovered, developed and celebrated”, adding that the pageant reflected those values.

“On behalf of the Management of AOS, I congratulate all the contestants, the winners and, of course, the runners-ups,” Goldman said.

He also commended the Lagos State Council of the NUJ for creating platforms that bring together journalism, talent, culture and social development.

NUJ leadership backs new platform

The Chairman of the NUJ Lagos State Council, Adeleye Ajayi, commended the organisers and sponsor for supporting the first edition of the pageant.

The event formed part of activities marking the council’s 2026 Press Week, which brings together journalists and media organisations across Lagos.

For the union, the introduction of the pageant provides another avenue for members to participate in activities outside their conventional newsroom responsibilities.

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Winner promises to support NUJ

Adebola thanked the NUJ for giving the contestants a platform to showcase their talents.

She also appreciated the NUJ executive and her fellow contestants for competing for the crown, promising to use her tenure as Miss NUJ to serve the union whenever called upon.

Her victory came with a cash prize of ₦75,000 and an offer of digital journalism training from AOS Learning Hub.

Apanisile, the first runner-up, received ₦50,000, while Emeka, who finished third, received ₦25,000.

The prizes were provided by AOS Learning Hub.

Why the Miss NUJ pageant matters

The introduction of the pageant comes as professional associations increasingly create spaces that recognise skills and interests beyond members’ core occupations.

For journalists, such platforms can also provide opportunities to develop public-speaking, presentation and interpersonal skills that are relevant to communication work.

The organisers will now have to determine how the new Miss NUJ platform evolves in subsequent editions and whether professional development and talent initiatives will remain central to the programme.

The Obaji Development Foundation (ODF) has opened applications for a five-day residential workshop aimed at helping Nigerian journalists identify and counter disinformation campaigns.

The Nigerian Counter-Disinformation Capacity-Building Workshop will bring together 30 journalists for training on foreign influence and manipulation of information (FIMI), digital forensics, fact-checking and ethical reporting.

Applications opened on 14 September and will close on 18 September 2026.

The workshop will be held in Abuja, according to the foundation.

Why the training matters

Disinformation campaigns can use false or misleading information to influence public debate, shape perceptions and deepen social divisions.

ODF said the growing use of foreign influence and manipulation of information presents a challenge to media integrity and democratic processes in Africa.

The foundation described Nigeria as a major media hub and a potential target for campaigns that exploit local vulnerabilities to influence narratives.

The training is therefore designed to strengthen journalists’ ability to assess information before publishing and to investigate coordinated disinformation campaigns.

What journalists will learn

ODF said participants will receive practical training on identifying, analysing and countering FIMI and other forms of disinformation.

The programme will include interactive sessions, case studies and practical exercises.

According to the foundation, participants will also learn about digital forensic tools and approaches to collaborative journalism.

The organisers said the workshop will focus particularly on disinformation strategies affecting Africa and Nigerian elections.

Other objectives include promoting collaborative fact-checking and investigative journalism networks, as well as strengthening media literacy and public trust in journalism.

Who can apply?

The opportunity is open to Nigerian journalists with at least two years of professional journalism experience.

Applicants must work in print, electronic or online media in Nigeria and be employed by a reputable media or fact-checking organisation.

They must also provide an endorsement from their editor or chief executive.

Applicants are required to show evidence of fact-checking content they have published within the past 12 months.

ODF said successful participants must also be willing to devote time after the training to producing research and analysis on disinformation.

Only one journalist from each organisation can participate.

How to apply

Interested journalists can submit their applications through the online application form provided by the foundation.

The application window runs from 14 to 18 September 2026.

The five-day workshop is fully residential and will take place in Abuja.

The foundation said the programme is intended to build a stronger network of journalists capable of detecting and responding to disinformation while maintaining fact-based and ethical reporting standards.