The workshop organised by the Obaji Development Foundation (ODF), with support from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Abuja and the High Commission of Canada in Nigeria, brings together journalists, fact-checkers, researchers and civil society actors from across Nigeria to strengthen their capacity to identify, investigate and respond to disinformation and other forms of information disorder.

Held under the theme “Building Resilience: Equipping Nigerian Journalists to Counter Disinformation in Africa,” the workshop focuses on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), digital verification, fact-checking methodologies, open-source intelligence, and other approaches in addressing emerging threats to the information ecosystem.

Samuel Agbelusi, ROUNDCHECK researcher representing the organisation at the workshop, will join other participants in expert-led sessions, practical exercises, and collaborative discussions designed to deepen their understanding of information disorder and strengthen their ability to respond effectively to emerging disinformation threats.

The capacity-building initiative comes ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, a period expected to present significant challenges from misinformation, disinformation, and coordinated information manipulation. The organisers seek to equip media professionals and other relevant stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to contribute to a more resilient and credible information environment.

The workshop will conclude on Friday, October 9, with a closing reception hosted by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Abuja.

The three-day seminar, organised in Lagos by the Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas (FIAP) through its implementing partner FactCheckAfrica, in collaboration with Wikimedia Nigeria, brought together Wikimedia editors, newsroom editors, and fact-checkers for sessions focused on information integrity, fact-checking, source verification, digital investigation, and open-source information verification.

ROUNDCHECK was represented by its Executive Director, Caleb Ijioma, as part of the organisation’s commitment to contribute to information integrity.

Beyond the training sessions, participants took part in a Wikipedia edit-a-thon focused on election-related and public-interest content. The exercise recorded 296 edits across 52 Wikipedia articles, with participants contributing an estimated 17,400 words and 170 references. 

Among the articles edited were those on the 2027 Nigerian general election, the 2026 Osun and Ekiti State gubernatorial elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), political parties and other election-related topics.

The seminar also examined how misinformation and disinformation can affect public understanding of elections, particularly as political claims, manipulated media and unverified information continue to circulate across social media, news platforms and messaging applications.

Speaking on the initiative, Founder of FactCheckAfrica, Abideen Olasupo, described electoral integrity as an information integrity challenge and said citizens need access to accurate, verifiable and properly contextualised information as they make decisions about issues affecting them.

The Lagos seminar is the first of two regional cycles under the initiative. A second seminar is scheduled for Abuja from September 28 to 30, with another group of Wikimedia editors, newsroom editors and fact-checkers expected to participate.

The National Newsroom Contest began in 2012 as an inter-university competition in Uganda and has since trained young journalists and connected participants with media professionals. 

With this expansion, MCI will take the contest beyond Uganda and connect emerging journalists across the continent with practical reporting, mentorship and media professionals.

ROUNDCHECK is partnering with MCI on the initiative, with opportunities being explored for university students to participate in the continental contest. The partnership creates another avenue to connect university students with opportunities focused on journalism, Media and Information Literacy and emerging technologies.

The 2026 edition themed “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Reimagine Our Communities through Responsible Journalism,” reflects the growing influence of artificial intelligence on how news is produced, verified and consumed. It also draws attention to concerns around misinformation, disinformation, and manipulated content eroding public trust.

MCI says the contest will help students develop critical thinking, verification, digital literacy, editorial judgement and multimedia storytelling skills as they navigate the changing information environment. The organisers also link the contest to its Fellowship Programme, where standout participants can continue into longer-term practical training and professional development.

For the continental individual categories, students can compete in Photography, One Minute of Fame, Best Cartoonist and Essay Writing.

The Photography category requires participants to produce a six- to ten-image photo essay telling a story about their community across three stages: Before, Now and After. While the first stage may use credited archival images and the second requires original, unmanipulated photographs, participants can use AI-generated images to present a vision of a better future.

The One Minute of Fame category challenges students to produce a one-minute television or radio presentation, with participants expected to demonstrate clarity, confidence and the ability to communicate effectively within a short period.

The Best Cartoonist category focuses on original visual storytelling around the 2026 theme, while the Essay Writing category requires an original 1,500- to 2,500-word essay examining how artificial intelligence is shaping journalism and its role in strengthening truth and reporting within communities.

As part of the 2026 programme, MCI is also hosting a series of virtual conversations for journalists and journalism students across Africa. The next session scheduled for September 25th will focus on “Journalism beyond Borders: How to go beyond local journalism.”  Interested participants are encouraged to register through the registration form.

Entries for the individual categories are to be submitted in English before October 31, 2026, through challengemedlaug2014@gmail.com. 

CivicPlay is a web-based edutainment game developed by ROUNDCHECK to make civic and political learning more engaging for young people. The platform uses interactive questions, instant feedback and progress tracking to help users build knowledge of democracy, civic responsibilities and political issues, while also developing the critical thinking skills needed to assess information and recognise misinformation.

The outreach will cover Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States, with a focus on secondary schools and tertiary institutions. Through workshops and practical sessions, students will learn about civic responsibilities, democracy, and information verification techniques.

The outreach will combine classroom engagement with practical activities designed to make civic and media literacy more relatable to students. Participants will take part in Media and Information Literacy (MIL) workshops and practical, interactive fact-checking exercises.

The programme is designed to help students understand how information shapes public discussions, rather than limiting civic education to lessons about elections and government structures.

Daniel Nworie, Assistant Project Manager of Civic Play, said the outreach was designed to make civic education more accessible to young people and to highlight their role in local communities.

“As we take CivicPlay into 50 schools across Nigeria, our goal is to make civic education more accessible, engaging and relevant to young people.”

Daniel said young people need practical knowledge of how society works, the confidence to participate in democracy and the critical thinking skills to navigate today’s information environment.

“Through this outreach, CivicPlay is creating a more engaging way for students to learn, ask questions and understand the role they can play in shaping their communities and Nigeria’s future,” he added.

Schools and institutions interested in hosting the team can also contact ROUNDCHECK to express their interest and discuss arrangements for an outreach session. Those interested can contact ROUNDCHECK via 07087049637 or 09130497799, or email admin@roundcheck.com.ng, contact@civicplay.ng 

The coalition said it is particularly concerned about false and manipulated narratives that could fuel violence, discourage voters from participating in the election or undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

NFC partner organisations, including Africa Check and Digital Africa Research Lab (DigiAfrica Lab), will also be in Osun to monitor the election firsthand and provide assessments to the situation rooms.

Kemi Busari, Editor of DUBAWA Nigeria, said the security situation in the state makes the monitoring of election-related misinformation especially important.

Busari said the coalition was already seeing security-related claims being circulated, including some that were old or unrelated to the current situation in Osun.

“The security situation in Osun leading up to this election has been concerning. We expect a lot of security-related misinformation and disinformation,” Busari said.

He said the coalition has trained fact-checkers and editors monitoring the information environment both online and offline, while working with local partners to distribute verified reports.

The coalition is also preparing for misinformation produced or manipulated using artificial intelligence, which it says could make election-related falsehoods harder to identify.

David Ajikobi, Nigeria Editor at Africa Check and current National Coordinator of the NFC, said AI tools have made it faster and cheaper to produce convincing false content, including synthetic images, cloned voices and texts designed to resemble official statements.

According to Ajikobi, the speed at which such content can spread on social media could allow false information to reach large audiences before it is verified or corrected.

“This means Nigerians are likely to encounter more sophisticated election misinformation, making early detection, rapid verification, and credible correction more important than ever,” he said.

The NFC was formed in June 2022 and comprises signatories of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), Africa Check, CableCheck (The Cable), FactCheckHub and DUBAWA.

Its other partners include the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (The ICIR), Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), FactsMatterNG, Digital Africa Research and Safety Lab, Alkalanci, The Continental, ROUNDCHECK, WikkiTimes and FactWatch, among others.

The coalition said its Osun operation builds on its collaborative fact-checking work during the Ekiti State governorship election, where it verified several harmful narratives.

It is also conducting Media and Information Literacy activities to help Nigerians assess the credibility of information sources, identify misleading or manipulated content and make informed decisions about what they consume and share.

Beyond debunking false claims, the coalition said it wants voters to develop simple habits that can help them navigate the information environment during the election.

Ajikobi urged Nigerians to pause before sharing unverified information, check claims against credible sources and learn to recognise manipulated or AI-generated content.

The NFC called on voters, journalists, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to verify election-related information before sharing it, particularly content designed to provoke fear, anger or confusion.

Members of the public can submit unverified information to the coalition’s Situation Rooms via WhatsApp on +2349030785265 and +2349083777789, or by email at nigerianfactcheckerscoalition@gmail.com for verification.
Verified reports and fact-checks will be distributed through NFC member organisations and partners throughout the election period.

The platform was unveiled on Saturday, August 8, 2026, during a virtual launch themed “Advancing Civic Engagement Through Digital Innovation.” The event brought together more than 60 participants, including representatives of Electoral College Nigeria, BudgIT,  The Nation Newspaper, Alkalanci, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue (MILID) Foundation, FactCheck Africa, civil society organisations, campus journalists from various tertiary institutions, and young Nigerians.

The initiative comes amid efforts by civic and media organisations to explore new ways of reaching Nigeria’s young population with reliable information and encouraging greater participation in democratic processes. 

The launch featured a live demonstration of Civic Play anchored by Daniel Nworie, Assistant Project Manager, who introduced participants to the platform’s features, including timed questions, instant feedback and progress tracking.

The game currently contains more than 1,000 questions covering civic and political issues, designed to help young people develop a stronger understanding of democratic processes and their role as citizens.

Speaking during the launch, Lekan Otufodurin, Executive Director of Media Career Development Network, highlighted the importance of digital innovation in strengthening civic engagement. Lekan emphasised the need for informed citizens to actively participate in democratic processes and play their part in addressing misinformation.

He noted that initiatives such as Civic Play could help make civic education more accessible to young people by presenting information through digital platforms that align with how they increasingly learn and interact.

Also speaking, Vahyala Kwaga, Country Director for Nigeria at BudgIT, emphasised the importance of active citizenship to the quality of democracy and governance. Kwaga described Civic Play as a fun and engaging way to share civic knowledge while encouraging users to reflect on their responsibilities as citizens.

He stressed the need to harness Nigeria’s youthful population to develop a more informed generation of leaders and citizens, while encouraging the Civic Play team to consider expanding the initiative beyond Nigeria to other sub-regional countries.

According to him, the quality of governance is influenced by the extent to which citizens understand and participate in civic processes.

Victoria Bamas, Project Manager at Alkalanci, said civic engagement should not be limited to elections and voting. Victoria, whose organisation focuses on fact-checking and MIL in local languages, noted that an informed population that understands their rights, responsibilities and the roles of government institutions could help hold public officials accountable 

She stressed the importance of citizens engaging with government at the state and local government levels, rather than focusing exclusively on the federal government.

“Issues such as primary healthcare, drainage, refuse disposal and community roads often require citizens to engage directly with their local authorities.”

Victoria called for possible collaboration between Civic Play and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), noting that the agency’s grassroots presence could help the platform reach more communities.

Alao Abiodun, Senior Reporter with The Nation Newspaper, urged ROUNDCHECK to pursue partnerships with government institutions to expand Civic Play’s reach. Abiodun noted that government structures such as the Office of Civic Engagement in Lagos could help integrate the initiative into existing civic engagement efforts.

He recommended that Civic Play reach secondary school students and develop a mobile application in addition to its web-based platform, arguing that young people increasingly consume information through social media and digital platforms.

Deputy Executive Director of Electoral College Nigeria, Lisa Wunmi Hassan, described Civic Play as a welcome innovation in civic education. Lisa said technology could make civic education more practical and interactive, particularly for young people who may find conventional approaches less engaging.

She also emphasised the importance of collaboration among organisations working across electoral participation, civic education and related fields.

Speaking on the future of the initiative, Caleb Ijioma, Executive Director of ROUNDCHECK, outlined plans to expand Civic Play through partnerships, community outreach and additional learning features.

Caleb said ROUNDCHECK intends to work with organisations and to take Civic Play to about 50 schools and tertiary institutions across Lagos, Oyo and Ogun states, to promote political literacy, media literacy and civic participation.

The platform is also expected to receive additional features, including courses on political and media literacy, a dashboard for accessing the courses and possible integration of local languages.

To access the platform, Nigerians are expected to visit www.civicplay.ng. Other planned developments include a campaign with rewards for participation and the testing of Civic Play during the upcoming Osun State election.

Civic Play is a web-based learning platform that combines education, media and information literacy, and entertainment to help users build their civic knowledge through interactive quizzes, different levels and competitive leaderboards. The platform simplifies complex civic concepts, encouraging young people to learn about governance, democratic participation and their rights in an engaging and rewarding way.

The virtual launch will take place on Saturday, 8 August 2026, via Zoom, bringing together educators, students, civil society organisations, media development partners, government agencies, and other stakeholders committed to strengthening civic education in Nigeria.

The launch marks the introduction of ROUNDCHECK’s latest civic technology initiative, building on the organisation’s work to promote MIL and counter misinformation among young Nigerians. Having reached thousands of young people through workshops, campaigns and civic engagement programmes, RoundCheck is leveraging digital innovation to expand access to quality civic education across the country.

Following the launch, the organisation will commence a school outreach programme, taking Civic Play to secondary schools and other educational institutions, where students will participate in media literacy and civic education sessions, interactive quiz competitions and digital citizenship activities designed to strengthen critical thinking and responsible civic participation.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Daniel Nworie, Assistant Project Manager for Civic Play, described the platform as an innovative response to the need for more accessible civic education.

“Many young Nigerians want to participate in civic life, but civic education is often presented in ways that feel distant or difficult to engage with,” Nworie said. “Civic Play changes that by turning learning into an interactive experience that encourages curiosity, critical thinking and active citizenship.”

Nworie explained that the platform was designed not only to teach civic concepts, but also to strengthen media literacy, critical thinking and informed participation in democratic processes. 

He added that beyond the digital platform, the school outreach programme is designed to take civic education directly to young people, helping students develop critical thinking skills, understand their rights and responsibilities, and become more informed and active participants in their communities.

With the message “Learn, Compete, Test your civic knowledge,” Civic Play aims to inspire a new generation of informed citizens by making civic learning simple, engaging and enjoyable. Guided by the belief that an informed youth is a powerful nation, the platform encourages users to continually improve their understanding of civic issues while competing with peers in a fun learning environment.

Registration for the virtual launch is now open. Interested participants are encouraged to register here: Civic Play Launch.

The call was made during a high-level conversation on “Journalism in the Digital Age: The Prospects, Challenges and the Future,” organised by the Department of Mass Communication, Caleb University, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

The event brought together students, academics and media professionals to examine how digital technologies are transforming journalism, reshaping audience behaviour and redefining newsroom operations.

Speakers included the Managing Editor of Independent Newspapers Limited, Kingsley Ighomwenghian; Executive Director of ROUNDCHECK, Caleb Ijioma; and Executive Director of the Media Career Development Network, Lekan Otufodunrin.

Also in attendance were the Dean of the College of Communication and Media Studies, Dr. Kayode Okunade; the Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Sunday Ogbonna; Senior Lecturer, Dr. Oluwafisayo Ogunyemi; alongside other faculty members, including Dr. Solomon Oyeleye, Dr. Charles Adewale, Dr. Samson Bello, Mrs. Joy Joseph, Mr. Stephen Ajagbe, Mr. Iskeelu Jolaoso and Mr. Tunji.

Speaking on “Navigating Digital Journalism: Prospects, Challenges and the Future,” Kingsley Ighomwenghian said digital technology has transformed journalism, creating new opportunities for storytelling, audience engagement and access to information.

He noted that websites, social media, podcasts and newsletters have enabled journalists to reach wider audiences while providing independent newsrooms with greater opportunities to publish without relying solely on traditional media channels.

Kingsley warned that the speed of digital publishing has intensified pressure on journalists to report quickly, making verification and accuracy more critical than ever.

Speaking on “Fact-checking in Investigative Journalism,” Caleb Ijioma said that investigative journalism plays an important role in exposing wrongdoing, fighting corruption, and holding those in positions of authority accountable, while fact-checking ensures that every claim is verified using credible sources, publicly available information, and digital verification tools before publication.

Ijioma encouraged students to cultivate strong research and verification habits, stressing the importance of documentary evidence, data analysis and interviews in producing accurate and impactful investigative reports.

Otufodunrin, while delivering a presentation on “Managing Media Organisations in the Age of Digital Disruption,” said technological advancement has fundamentally changed how media organisations produce, distribute, and monetise content.

He explained that the media is no longer confined to newspapers, radio or television, as most organisations now operate across multiple platforms, including websites and social media, to meet changing audience expectations.

According to him, media organisations must rethink their traditional management structures to remain competitive in the digital era. He urged media managers to understand the realities of digital disruption, invest in multimedia facilities, equip journalists with cross-platform skills and adopt management approaches that reflect the demands of an increasingly digital media landscape.

Throughout the discussions, the speakers agreed that while technology will continue to reshape journalism, the profession will remain relevant only if journalists uphold the principles of accuracy, fairness, verification and accountability.

Lecturer in charge, Funmi Falobi, noted that the event formed part of the department’s efforts to expose students to emerging trends in journalism and prepare them for the realities of an increasingly digital media industry.

According to her, technological disruption has transformed the industry, and it has also created opportunities for innovation.

Highlights of the event include a spoken word recitation and stage drama on the impact of disinformation.

The training, held at the Abusi Edumare annex campus, explored the growing importance of MIL, fact-checking, and responsible information sharing in today’s digital age.

Speaking during the training, Ijioma described MIL as the ability to engage with media and information critically, responsibly, and effectively. He noted that in a fast-changing digital environment where information spreads rapidly across multiple platforms, individuals must develop the ability to question, analyse, and verify the information they encounter.

He explained that while traditional media platforms such as radio, television, and newspapers once served as the major gatekeepers of information, the digital era has transformed virtually everyone into a potential content creator and distributor.

According to him, this shift has increased the responsibility on individuals to assess the credibility, purpose, and possible impact of information before consuming or sharing it.

Highlighting the importance of media and information literacy, Ijioma stated that it helps individuals create content responsibly, identify false or misleading information, make informed decisions, promote active citizenship, and stay safe in an increasingly complex information ecosystem.

A major focus of the session was fact-checking, which he emphasised remains essential in correcting misinformation, promoting accountability, strengthening public trust, and reducing the harmful effects of false information in society.

During the workshop, students were introduced to the concept of information disorder, including misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.

“Misinformation refers to false information shared without harmful intent, often by individuals who believe it to be true. Disinformation,” he said, “ It involves deliberately false information created or spread to mislead people, while malinformation refers to genuine information used maliciously to cause harm.”

Using practical, real-life examples, he demonstrated how false and misleading information has led to serious consequences across societies, including public panic, reputational damage, violence, and loss of life.

He warned students against the dangers of sharing unverified information, emphasising that a single post, message, or social media share can trigger far-reaching consequences.

The session also covered practical verification methods, including using relevant keywords in search engines, consulting verified news platforms, conducting interviews, cross-checking information with credible websites, and using fact-checking platforms and digital verification tools.

With the growing influence of artificial intelligence in content creation, the training also addressed the rise of deepfakes and manipulated digital content.

He advised students to pay attention to warning signs such as unnatural facial expressions, inconsistent audio quality, awkward body movements, and unusual positioning of facial features.

Present at the event were the Head of Department, Dr. Aro Adebisi; the host lecturer, Adeoye Saidat; and other lecturers, including Saeed Gbadebo and Ayantunga-Odule Phebean. 

Held at the ICT Conference Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, the conference was themed “Active Voices: Youth Driven Journalism for National Cohesion and Progress” and recorded participation from students and delegates across several tertiary institutions, including the University of Ibadan, the University of Ilorin, and Olabisi Onabanjo University.

Among the major highlights of the conference was a panel session featuring the Executive Director of Roundcheck, Caleb Ijioma, who spoke extensively on the dangers misinformation poses to democratic participation, public trust, and national cohesion.

Speaking during the panel session titled “Vibrant and Impactful Journalism as a Tool for Accountability, Civic Engagement, and National Development,” Caleb examined the growing influence of misinformation on public perception and democratic engagement.

Using elections as a case study, he explained that misinformation has contributed significantly to distrust in democratic institutions, discouraging many young people from actively participating in electoral processes.

According to him, manipulated narratives and misleading reports continue to weaken public confidence while distorting political participation and civic engagement among citizens.

He also addressed misinformation surrounding insecurity in Nigeria, noting that misleading videos, false reports, and manipulated content often intensify fear, ethnic tension, and social division.

Caleb warned that the rapid spread of unverified information across digital platforms has made information literacy and responsible journalism more important than ever, particularly among young media practitioners and citizens who rely heavily on social media for information.

Speaking further on civic responsibility and youth engagement, he encouraged young people to focus on creating measurable impact in their communities, regardless of scale, while developing critical-thinking habits and maintaining a commitment to truth and accountability.

He added that ethical journalism and fact-based reporting remain essential tools for strengthening democratic culture, promoting national cohesion, and sustaining public trust in institutions.

The panel session was moderated by ACJOAU’s 52nd Public Relations Officer, David Oguntade, and also featured contributions from journalist, fact-checker, and founder of The Harbinger, Boluwatife Adedokun.

Reflecting on the realities of impactful journalism, Adedokun noted that many important stories may never achieve virality or dominate public conversations. Still, their significance lies in keeping citizens informed about government actions and societal realities.

Also speaking during the session, Segun Odunayo, Chief Correspondent and Deputy Head of Programmes at Punch Newspaper, recounted how one of his reports on maternal mortality in a Nigerian community contributed to advocacy efforts that eventually led to the establishment of a healthcare centre in the area. He encouraged campus journalists to remain committed to impactful storytelling and purposeful journalism.

Earlier during the conference, veteran journalist and communication strategist, Laolu Akande (OON), delivered the keynote address, where he stressed the importance of ethical journalism and the role of young journalists in shaping national conversations and strengthening democratic values.

Akande also highlighted the importance of mentorship, professional exposure, and practical industry conversations in preparing emerging journalists for the realities of modern media practice.

Beyond the panel discussions, the conference featured networking sessions, audience interactions, games, spoken word performances, and goodwill messages from campus journalism bodies and student media organisations across different institutions.

The conference concluded with award presentations to speakers and panellists, recognition of winners of the Adejumo Kabir Essay Contest, closing remarks, networking interactions, and group photographs.