From Tunde Omolehin, Sokoto
The European Union in Nigeria and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) have launched the “Countering Disinformation and Empowering Democracy in Northwestern Nigeria” programme aimed at strengthening information integrity, media literacy, and peaceful coexistence in the region.
The initiative, launched in collaboration with WANEP and Arewa24, seeks to equip citizens, journalists, teachers, and community leaders with the skills needed to identify and counter misinformation and disinformation.
Speaking at the event, Xenia Sol, Political Officer with the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the programme reflects the European Union’s commitment to promoting peace, democracy, and social stability in Nigeria and across West Africa.
According to her, misinformation and disinformation have become major threats capable of fueling fear, violence, and instability within communities.
“This topic is very important to the European Union because of the impact false information can have on societies and democratic institutions,” she said.
Sol explained that the EU is supporting both government institutions and grassroots organisations to build resilience against harmful narratives and improve public access to credible information.
She added that the initiative focuses on empowering local communities with practical tools to address information disorder at the grassroots level.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said the programme became necessary due to the growing influence of false narratives in communities affected by insecurity and conflict.
He noted that unverified information circulated on social media platforms often fuels anxiety, reprisals, and mistrust among citizens.
According to him, the project will work closely with radio stations, schools, journalists, and community leaders to strengthen a culture of fact-checking and critical thinking among the public.
“When people consume harmful information, it affects society the same way unhealthy food affects the body,” he said.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Kashere, Umaru Pate, described credible information as essential to democracy, peacebuilding, and national development.
He said citizens must be equipped with the skills to identify credible information amid the rise of digital communication and AI-driven content.
Pate commended the initiative, noting that media literacy and information verification are critical to building informed and resilient communities.
