INEC Warns of AI Disinformation Threatening Nigeria's 2027 Elections

• •INEC chairman warns of AI-driven disinformation and logistic deficits ahead of 2027 elections.
• •The credibility of elections is crucial for national security and public trust in governance.
• •Upcoming elections are set for January 16 and February 6, 2027, marking a critical juncture.

Prof. Joash Amupitan, chairman of Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), highlighted a triad of electoral challenges ahead of the 2027 elections, including AI-driven disinformation, Foreign Information Manipulation (FIMI), and logistic deficits. Speaking at the AANISS event in Abuja, he emphasized that these issues threaten the credibility of elections and, by extension, national security. The upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the Governorship elections will follow on February 6, 2027. Amupitan noted that the interplay between election integrity and national security is critical, as credible elections foster public trust in governance. He called for urgent measures to address these challenges, which have historically undermined electoral confidence in Nigeria. The convergence of digital threats with physical challenges like insurgency exacerbates the situation, creating a significant trust deficit among the electorate.