The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to partnering with the Nigeria Union of Journalists FCT Council to combat disinformation and strengthen credible information dissemination ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abdullahi made the pledge in a goodwill message delivered during the 2026 NUJ FCT Press Week held in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, “2027 Elections: Defending Nigeria’s Democracy in the Age of Disinformation,” the NITDA boss described the topic as timely and significant, noting that while digital technology has expanded access to information, it has also accelerated the spread of misinformation and manipulated content.
According to him, disinformation poses a serious threat to democratic values because it weakens public trust and distorts facts.
“We live in an era where technology has democratized the flow of information, but it has also weaponized falsehoods. Disinformation does not just distort facts; it erodes the very trust that holds a democratic society together,” he said.
Abdullahi stressed that journalists remain frontline defenders of truth and democratic accountability, adding that technology alone cannot effectively address fake news without professional ethics, integrity, and critical thinking.
“At NITDA, we firmly believe that technology should be an instrument for empowerment, not polarization. However, code and algorithms alone cannot fight disinformation it required human integrity, critical thinking, and a steadfast commitment to the truth,” he added.
He assured media practitioners of NITDA’s continued support through digital literacy programmes, tools, and regulatory frameworks designed to help journalists navigate the evolving digital information ecosystem safely and effectively.
The NITDA Director General also commended the NUJ FCT Council leadership under Comrade Grace Ike for organising what he described as a comprehensive and impactful press week that blends intellectual discourse with mental health advocacy and community outreach initiatives.
He expressed confidence that discussions during the event would contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and promoting a more informed society.
The 2026 NUJ FCT Press Week attracted journalists, government officials, security representatives, and other stakeholders from across the country.
