The Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) has warned that artificial intelligence (AI)-generated fake news, deepfakes and coordinated disinformation campaigns could threaten Nigeria’s national security, undermine public trust and destabilise the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The centre called on the Federal Government to establish a functional technological framework to detect and counter false information, while promoting digital literacy and protecting citizens’ fundamental rights.
The warning was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Second National Symposium on Crisis Communication, held on October 27 and 28 at the Nigerian Air Force Club in Kaduna State.
The symposium, themed “Inter-Agency Collaboration, Public Trust and Cyber Threat Management in Crisis Communication,” brought together more than 150 participants from the military, security and intelligence agencies, emergency management institutions, government, academia, media organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
Participants identified misinformation, disinformation, AI-generated deepfakes and cyber threats as growing dangers to national stability, warning that the deliberate manipulation of information could undermine security operations, trigger public confusion and erode confidence in government institutions.
They observed that although social media and emerging technologies had created opportunities for faster public engagement, they had also made the spread of false information easier, underscoring the need for stronger verification mechanisms, responsible communication and effective monitoring of harmful content.
According to the communiqué, the circulation of false information during emergencies could trigger panic, divert critical resources, endanger lives and weaken public confidence in the authorities.
To address the challenges, the participants urged the Federal Government to establish an Integrated National Crisis Information Architecture, backed by standard operating procedures and clear protocols, to harmonise information-sharing and public communication among security agencies and other relevant institutions.
They also called for the deployment of effective technological tools to detect and counter disinformation campaigns, AI-generated deepfakes and other forms of information manipulation.
The communiqué stressed the need to improve public digital literacy and ensure access to credible and verified information, particularly during emergencies and periods of heightened national tension.
On regulation, the participants urged the government to develop appropriate frameworks for social media platforms and AI applications to address security concerns without undermining freedom of expression, fundamental rights or due process.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the CCC, Major General Chris Olukolade (rtd.), highlighted the importance of crisis communication to national security and public safety, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections amid growing concerns over AI-generated deepfakes and information manipulation.
Declaring the symposium open on behalf of Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the state Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, described misinformation and disinformation as emerging national security threats.
Maiyaki advocated sensitisation programmes to educate political actors on responsible communication and the dangers of spreading unverified information, especially during election campaigns.
The keynote speaker and Managing Director of Beacon Security and Innovation Limited, Dr. Kabiru Adamu, represented by Samuel Aruwan, highlighted the varying security challenges confronting Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
He stressed the need for coordinated communication, improved information-sharing and stronger collaboration among security agencies to ensure effective responses to security threats.
The participants further urged the CCC and other stakeholders to organise sensitisation programmes for political actors, journalists and media editors ahead of the 2027 elections to address information manipulation and promote responsible public communication.
They called on media organisations and security agencies to strengthen professional cooperation and ensure that information released to the public was accurate, verified and timely.
The communiqué also recommended stronger early-warning systems, joint threat monitoring, regular training and secure information-sharing mechanisms among relevant institutions.
It warned that conflicting statements from security agencies could confuse the public and undermine institutional credibility, stressing that designated spokespersons should have timely access to verified information, subject to operational security requirements.
The symposium concluded that effective crisis communication, public trust and inter-agency collaboration were essential to strengthening Nigeria’s national security and resilience.
The CCC reaffirmed its commitment to building professional capacity, promoting institutional cooperation and working with relevant stakeholders to translate the recommendations into practical and measurable outcomes.
The communiqué was signed by Commodore Kabir Aliyu (rtd.) of the CCC and Ikramat Umar Muazu of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
