Nigeria's 2027 Elections Face Threats from Deepfakes and Cyber Disinformation

• •Nigerian officials warn of deepfakes and disinformation threats ahead of 2027 elections.
• •Effective communication is critical for maintaining public trust and national security.
• •The CCC advocates for AI tools and inter-agency collaboration to combat misinformation.

The Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) and Nigerian security officials have warned of the potential use of deepfakes, disinformation, and cyber threats ahead of the 2027 general elections. During the Second National Symposium on Crisis Communication, they emphasized that security challenges are increasingly occurring in the information space rather than traditional physical confrontations. Major General Chris Olukolade (rtd.) highlighted the importance of effective communication in maintaining public trust and national security. With Nigeria's digital population exceeding 109 million by the end of 2025, the risk of misinformation is heightened. The CCC called for improved inter-agency coordination and AI-enabled detection tools to combat these threats. The symposium underscored the need for timely and transparent communication to prevent the spread of manipulated narratives that could undermine democratic institutions.