2027 Elections: Journalists Tasked On AI-driven Misinformation

Chairman of the Senate Press Corps, Taiye Adewale, has called for heightened vigilance against the threats of misinformation and AI-generated falsehoods as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.

At a high-level capacity-building workshop organised by the Oak Centre in Abuja, Adewale described the training as both timely and transformative for parliamentary journalists.

“We learnt to use AI to fact-check AI, and it was deeply enriching. For us, this training was not just information but an upgrade in knowledge. It has strengthened our ability to report with accuracy and confidence as the 2027 elections approach,” he said.

The workshop, titled, “Inside the Chamber: Reporting in the Age of AI Disorder,” brought together members of the Senate Press Corps for intensive sessions on countering disinformation in legislative reporting. Journalists were exposed to advanced simulation exercises on parliamentary misinformation, forensic verification of digital content, and newsroom-level crisis-response protocols.

Samuel Ter Vincent, training coordinator at the Oak Centre, stressed the urgency of the initiative: “The chamber is where laws are made, but the press gallery is where public understanding is shaped. In the age of AI disorder, that understanding must be rooted in verified truth. The credibility of legislative reporting is not just a professional asset; it is a safeguard for democracy itself.”

With the elections on the horizon, Adewale reiterated the Press Corps’ commitment to protecting the credibility of legislative reporting, noting that interventions such as the Oak Centre’s training were essential in building resilience.

The Oak Centre announced plans to expand the programme to journalists nationwide, strengthening Nigeria’s preparedness to face the challenges of AI-enabled disinformation and the integrity of democratic institutions.