2027 Poll: IPC, CEMESO Train INEC Officials On Misinformation, Electoral Communication

The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) have trained Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials in the South-West on electoral communication, misinformation management and voter engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The two-day capacity-building programme, themed “Capacity Building for INEC VEP Leadership on Electoral Trust, Effective Communication, Legal Literacy and Voter Engagement”, held from October 15 to 16, 2026, at Golden Tulip Hotel, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Speaking at the programme, INEC Deputy Director of Information and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, said the training was designed to strengthen the capacity of officials responsible for communicating the commission’s policies, electoral procedures and other essential information to voters and stakeholders.

Ifogah said electoral officials needed accurate information and effective communication skills to explain electoral processes clearly and promptly, particularly as the country prepares for the 2027 polls.

He noted that the media environment was saturated with conflicting information, making it necessary for INEC personnel to distinguish verified reports from false narratives capable of undermining public confidence in elections.

According to him, the training would equip officials to communicate improvements in electoral procedures, address public concerns and prevent misinformation from escalating into electoral crises.

He also warned journalists and members of the public against sharing unverified information, particularly artificial intelligence-generated content and deepfakes capable of misleading voters.

“Verify before you amplify,” Ifogah advised, urging journalists to confirm electoral information through INEC’s official communication channels or designated communication officers before publication.

He commended IPC and CEMESO for supporting the commission’s efforts to improve communication and ensure accurate information reaches different stakeholders.

Earlier, IPC Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, said electoral trust was shaped long before election day by the quality, accessibility and credibility of information available to citizens.

Arogundade warned that false claims and AI-generated content could spread faster than official corrections, stressing the need for proactive communication, fact-checking and coordinated responses to emerging misinformation.

He said the programme would provide a platform for discussions on crisis communication, media relations, the 2026 Electoral Act, misinformation risk mapping, conflict-sensitive communication and inclusive voter engagement.

Also speaking, CEMESO Executive Director, Dr Akin Akingbulu, urged Voter Education and Publicity (VEP) officials to prioritise clarity, promptness and efficiency when communicating electoral information.

Akingbulu said the initiative would promote knowledge-sharing among participants and encourage them to replicate the training in their respective states and local government areas.

He explained that the Ibadan programme was the first of four regional engagements, with subsequent sessions scheduled for Jos, Enugu and Kano.

The initiative is funded by the European Union under its Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme, Component 4, Support to Media, and implemented jointly by IPC and CEMESO.

The organisers said the programme aims to strengthen electoral communication, promote informed citizen participation and improve public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 elections.