As part of preparations for the 2027 General Election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a two-day capacity-building programme for staff of the Voter Education and Publicity Department on strategic communication and misinformation monitoring.
The training, which is holding in Keffi, Nasarawa State, is being organised in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and brings together INEC personnel involved in voter education, public communication and stakeholder engagement.
Declaring the workshop open, the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, represented by the Deputy Director, Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, expressed appreciation to IFES and other development partners for supporting the initiative. He noted that although the training was initially scheduled to hold before previous elections, operational demands made this impossible.
According to him, the workshop remains timely and relevant, as the Commission continues preparations for electoral activities in 2026 and beyond. He emphasised the growing complexity of the media environment, driven largely by emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, which have heightened the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
Mr. Ifogah stressed the need for INEC to be proactive in monitoring the media space, responding effectively to false narratives, and protecting the integrity of the electoral process. He encouraged participants to approach the training with open minds, learn from facilitators and share practical experiences that would strengthen the Commission’s communication strategies. He also underscored the importance of interdepartmental collaboration and engagement with stakeholders in building public trust and ensuring credible elections.
Earlier, the training commenced with the introduction of participants by the Project Manager, IFES Nigeria, Ms. Judith Toryem. The Country Director, IFES Kenya, and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for Nigeria, Mr. Obaje Ukeh, delivered a comprehensive session on the objectives and expectations of the training. He spoke extensively on strategic communication in electoral contexts, public perception and trust in Nigeria’s elections, as well as effective social media and digital strategies.
Also participating in the training is the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of INEC, Mr. Adedayo Oketota, who is expected to share his wealth of experience in strategic media engagement, election communication and management of public information.
The workshop is expected to strengthen the capacity of INEC staff to effectively navigate the evolving information landscape and enhance public confidence in the electoral process ahead of future elections.
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