EU raises concerns over manipulated foreign content circulating in Nigeria
The European Union (EU) has issued a strong warning over the escalating manipulated foreign content, and disinformation aimed at Nigeria, cautioning that the trend poses a serious risk to the country’s democracy, media credibility, and public trust.
The warning was delivered on Monday in Abuja during a one-day capacity-building workshop on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) organised for members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN).
In his opening remarks, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, said false or misleading information, whether deployed for political influence, commercial gain, or malicious deception—has become one of the most destabilising forces in global public discourse.
He noted that the consequences are more severe when disinformation is deliberately engineered to deceive and then spread to unsuspecting citizens. According to him, the media remains a critical pillar of democracy, and any erosion of its credibility directly threatens governance and societal stability.
“When people lose faith in such a critical institution, democracy is at risk, and society itself becomes gravely endangered,” Mignot warned.
The ambassador emphasised that journalists occupy one of the most vulnerable positions in the information ecosystem due to their role in determining what reaches the public. This, he said, makes them primary targets for manipulation campaigns.
Once journalists are misled, he explained, the entire society becomes exposed to deception.
Mignot highlighted the shared responsibility of journalists and diplomats in safeguarding credibility.
“If we want to remain reliable, we must ensure that the information we disseminate is accurate,” he added.
While acknowledging that emerging technologies have made communication faster and more accessible, the envoy cautioned that they have also enabled the creation of sophisticated tools capable of fabricating or altering reality. He listed deepfakes, doctored videos, manipulated images, and AI-generated content as modern instruments of deception whose authenticity makes them hard to distinguish from genuine information.
Citing a 2024 report by the European Parliament, he noted that 85% of people globally worry about the impact of disinformation, while 87% believe it has already distorted political life.
Mignot said Nigeria faces similar vulnerabilities. Referring to a 2020 report by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), he explained that disinformation in the country has reached unprecedented levels, worsening ethnic and religious tensions. With content now spreading via text, audio, memes, images, and videos, he said Nigeria’s traditional “rumour mill” has acquired new digital capabilities.
The EU discussed several initiatives designed to help counter disinformation in Nigeria and the wider West African region. These include monitoring foreign manipulation campaigns, particularly those targeting elections—improving media literacy, and training journalists to detect and debunk misleading content.
Earlier this year, the EU organised fact-checking sessions for members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Lagos and continued to support leading fact-checking organisations like Dubawa. It has also sponsored Nigerian journalists for advanced trainings in Europe, including assignments in conflict zones such as Ukraine.
The ambassador reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to partnering with civil society groups, media institutions, and youth organisations to promote access to credible information.
He explained that DICAN was selected for the FIMI workshop because its members play a vital role in translating foreign information for Nigerian audiences. Their coverage of international events, including the EU’s activities—positions them at a strategic intersection between global narratives and national understanding.
Mignot also referenced DICAN’s earlier engagement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in July, noting the association’s proactive stance in combating disinformation.
The EU warned that well organised disinformation campaigns in West Africa—some of which glamorise anti-democratic actors, continue to threaten peace and stability. Nigeria, he said, must remain alert to efforts aimed at distorting public perception or undermining confidence in democratic leadership.
The workshop seeks to equip journalists with tools to identify and counter foreign information manipulation, strengthen newsroom verification systems, and boost the resilience of Nigeria’s media space.
“It is my hope that this training enhances your professional capacity and strengthens your ability to serve society with accuracy, responsibility and integrity,” Mignot said.