By Esther Olaoluwa |
The Foundation for the Internationalization of Public Administrations (FIAP), in collaboration with FactCheckAfrica, has commenced a three-day training camp for social media influencers in Northern Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen electoral integrity and combat the spread of misinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The training, themed “Voices That Count: Training Camps for Social Media Influencers on Electoral Integrity,” is being held under the #CheckBeforeYouPost: Gen Z Creatives for Electoral Integrity campaign. It aims to equip digital creators with practical verification skills and ethical communication practices needed to promote credible information and peaceful democratic participation.
The Kano training camp is the Northern edition of the programme and follows the successful Southern edition held in Enugu earlier in July. It forms part of a broader regional initiative designed to strengthen information integrity and responsible digital engagement before, during and after Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
Thirty Northern Influencers Selected for Training
The programme brings together 30 carefully selected social media influencers, digital creators and online communicators from across Northern Nigeria.
Participants represent diverse online communities on Facebook, X, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn and other emerging digital platforms. According to the organisers, special attention was given to including women and young creators whose online content significantly shapes public opinion and civic conversations.
The organisers noted that the training responds to the growing influence of digital creators, who increasingly serve as trusted sources of political and civic information for millions of Nigerians, particularly young people.
Participants Gain Practical Verification and Digital Investigation Skills
During the three-day camp, participants will receive hands-on training in fact-checking, digital verification, conflict-sensitive communication, ethical content creation and online safety.
Sessions will cover Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques, reverse image verification, artificial intelligence content detection, platform algorithms, behavioural communication, digital storytelling and responsible online influence.
Unlike conventional workshops that focus largely on presentations, the organisers adopted a production-centred approach that allows participants to develop practical electoral integrity content ready for publication on their respective digital platforms.
Influencers to Lead #CheckBeforeYouPost Campaign
As part of the training, participants will collaboratively develop electoral integrity messages, platform-specific communication strategies and digital campaigns aimed at promoting verified information and discouraging the spread of false or misleading election-related content.
The programme also introduces participants to the Charter of Ten Principles for Electoral Integrity, a voluntary ethical framework that encourages responsible information sharing, transparency, verification, conflict-sensitive communication and democratic accountability.
Participants are equally expected to contribute to the development of a Responsible Influencer Kit, which will contain campaign templates, messaging guides, visual assets and platform-specific resources to support wider civic education efforts across Nigeria.
Following the training, each participant is expected to implement a pilot #CheckBeforeYouPost micro-campaign through their social media platforms within 14 days, applying the knowledge and practical skills acquired during the programme.
FactCheckAfrica Highlights Role of Influencers in Protecting Electoral Integrity
Speaking on the initiative, Founder of FactCheckAfrica, Abideen Olasupo, said social media influencers have evolved beyond entertainment and now serve as trusted information intermediaries for millions of Nigerians.
He noted that while digital platforms have expanded opportunities for civic participation, they have also become channels for misinformation, hate speech and AI-generated deceptive content capable of undermining public trust and electoral credibility.
According to Olasupo, the training is designed to equip creators with practical verification skills, ethical frameworks and collaborative networks that will enable them to promote accurate information while preserving the creativity and authenticity that define their online platforms.
Initiative Supports Regional Democratic Governance
FactCheckAfrica said the training forms part of its broader commitment to strengthening democratic resilience by empowering digital creators to counter harmful narratives, promote verified information and encourage peaceful civic participation before, during and beyond Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The Kano training camp is the second of three major activities under Activity 3.1.5a(3)ii of Thematic Area 1: Mis/Disinformation, Fact-checking and AI Learning of the EU Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project.
The activity is organised by FIAP in collaboration with FactCheckAfrica under the EPSG Project, which is jointly financed by the European Union (EU), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (MOFA).
The organisers said the initiative reflects a shared commitment to strengthening electoral integrity, promoting responsible digital communication and supporting democratic governance across Nigeria and the wider West African region.
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