As part of preparations for the 2027 General Elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a two-day capacity-building programme for officers of its Voter Education and Publicity Department, focusing on strategic communication and misinformation monitoring.
The training, holding in Keffi, Nasarawa State, is 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 their support. He explained that although the training had initially been scheduled to hold before previous elections, operational exigencies made this impracticable.
Mr. Ifogah noted that the workshop remains timely as the Commission continues preparations for electoral activities in 2026 and beyond. He highlighted the increasing complexity of the media environment, driven largely by emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, which have amplified the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
He stressed the need for INEC to remain proactive in monitoring the information space, responding effectively to false narratives and safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process. He urged participants to engage actively with the facilitators, share practical experiences and apply lessons learned to strengthen the Commission’s communication strategies. He also underscored the importance of interdepartmental collaboration and sustained stakeholder engagement in building public trust and delivering credible elections.
Earlier, participants were introduced by the IFES Nigeria Project Manager, Ms. Judith Toryem. The Country Director of IFES Kenya and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for Nigeria, Mr. Obaje Ukeh, delivered a session outlining the objectives and expectations of the training. He spoke on strategic communication in electoral contexts, public perception and trust in Nigeria’s elections, as well as effective use of social media and digital platforms.
Also participating in the training is the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Adedayo Oketota, who is expected to share insights on strategic media engagement, election communication and public information management.
The workshop is expected to enhance the capacity of INEC personnel to navigate the evolving information landscape and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process ahead of future elections.
