The European Union has raised concerns over the growing threat of artificial intelligence generated fake news ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, warning that manipulated images, videos and audio recordings could mislead millions of voters and undermine confidence in the electoral process. The warning was issued on Thursday, October 22, through the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Programme. It comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission moves to strengthen electoral safeguards, introducing artificial intelligence tools designed to identify discrepancies in election results, detect digital manipulation and improve transparency during the forthcoming polls.
Speaking on behalf of the EU programme, Lanre Arogundade warned that rapid advances in artificial intelligence had made it increasingly difficult for citizens to distinguish authentic electoral information from fabricated content. He explained that sophisticated technologies now allow individuals and organised groups to produce realistic videos, photographs and voice recordings capable of misleading large audiences within minutes. Arogundade stressed that the danger extended beyond ordinary misinformation because fabricated statements attributed to candidates, electoral officials or government institutions could influence voting decisions, discourage participation and weaken public confidence in legitimate election outcomes.
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan has emphasised the need for responsible technology and human oversight in election administration.
The European Union warning was issued ahead of a two day national summit scheduled for November 2 and 3, 2026, at the Abuja Continental Hotel. The event, titled Beyond the Ballot: Safeguarding Electoral Information Integrity in the Age of AI, is being organised by the International Press Centre and the Centre for Media and Society in collaboration with DAI and International IDEA under the European Union funded programme. Approximately 250 participants are expected to attend, including representatives of INEC, technology companies, media organisations, civil society groups, academic institutions and government agencies. The summit will examine practical measures for detecting artificial intelligence generated misinformation, strengthening institutional coordination and protecting the credibility of electoral information.
A major feature of the summit will be an interactive simulation of an electoral disinformation crisis involving artificial intelligence. The exercise is intended to examine how electoral institutions, journalists, technology platforms and other stakeholders respond when fabricated information spreads rapidly during sensitive stages of an election. Participants will also consider the risks posed by coordinated online manipulation, foreign interference, deceptive political advertisements and digitally altered statements attributed to candidates. The discussions are expected to produce recommendations on public communication, fact checking, digital literacy and emergency responses while protecting freedom of expression and the independence of the media.
Meanwhile, INEC has disclosed plans to use artificial intelligence to identify errors and inconsistencies during election result management. Speaking at the launch of the AI for Elections Programme and Hackathon organised by Rise Networks in Abuja on Thursday, October 22, the commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Lawrence Bayode, explained that the proposed system would compare figures entered electronically with those recorded on physical polling unit result sheets and their scanned copies. Where discrepancies are detected, the system would require them to be resolved before results could be uploaded. The initiative is intended to reduce human errors, improve operational efficiency and strengthen confidence in the accuracy of election information made available to the public.
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan had earlier announced the establishment of a dedicated artificial intelligence unit within the commission’s Information and Communications Technology Department. Speaking during an election stakeholders’ engagement in October, Amupitan said automated auditing tools were being incorporated into result verification procedures, while a governance framework was being developed to guide their responsible use. The commission has emphasised that artificial intelligence must remain subject to human supervision and should not independently determine electoral outcomes. Its approach reflects growing recognition that technological innovation can improve election administration only when accompanied by adequate cybersecurity, transparent procedures, independent oversight and clear accountability.
Technology companies have also acknowledged the risks associated with increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence applications. Meta’s Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa, Sade Dada, warned that synthetic voices, manipulated videos and other fabricated materials could make it harder for voters to determine which political messages were genuine. She explained that Meta labels certain artificial intelligence generated content and requires advertisers to disclose significant digital alterations in political advertisements. Dada also highlighted the potential benefits of artificial intelligence for providing verified electoral information in Nigerian languages. Such tools could help citizens understand voter registration procedures, locate official electoral information and recognise misleading content, although their effectiveness depends on accuracy, accessibility and public awareness.
The concerns are particularly significant because Nigeria experienced widespread controversies surrounding electoral technology during the February 25, 2023 presidential election. The European Union Election Observation Mission subsequently identified weaknesses involving transparency, operational planning and the publication of election results through INEC’s Result Viewing Portal. Although the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System was introduced to strengthen voter verification, technical and administrative problems contributed to public dissatisfaction with aspects of the electoral process. The experience remains an important historical reference for discussions about election technology, reinforcing demands that new digital systems should undergo comprehensive testing, independent assessment and public explanation before being deployed in sensitive electoral operations.
Beyond concerns about manipulated political content, electoral experts have warned that artificial intelligence itself could introduce new risks if deployed without clear safeguards. Former INEC National Commissioner Okechukwu Ibeanu has called for the commission to publish a comprehensive governance framework explaining how artificial intelligence would be used in sensitive areas of election administration. Similarly, participants at the Artificial Intelligence and Democracy Forum held in Abuja from October 14 to 16 urged independent technology audits, transparent procurement procedures and publicly accessible protocols for resolving discrepancies between physical and electronic election records. Microsoft also expressed a commitment to using official candidate information to help restrict the creation of misleading synthetic images, while regional stakeholders encouraged stronger ethical standards for political parties and digital platforms.
As of October 23, 2026, the European Union’s warning and INEC’s technological preparations have brought the security of electoral information into sharper focus ahead of the 2027 general elections. Applications have opened for the AI for Elections Hackathon, with submissions scheduled to close on November 12 and a total prize pool of 10 million naira announced for participants developing practical electoral technology solutions. The November summit is expected to provide another opportunity for institutions to agree on stronger measures against digital manipulation. While artificial intelligence offers opportunities to improve transparency, communication and election administration, its potential misuse presents serious challenges. The credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 elections will depend not only on technological safeguards but also on independent oversight, accurate public information, responsible political communication and the ability of citizens to make informed electoral choices without manipulation or deception.
