Specialists underscore the critical importance of adopting a cooperative, multi-party approach in Nigeria to address the rising misuse of social media and artificial intelligence technologies. This collective effort is essential to mitigate the increasing challenges these digital innovations present.
At the heart of this initiative is a strong recommendation for the Federal Government to lead a nationwide digital literacy campaign. Such a program would educate the public on the dangers linked to the improper use of digital tools, thereby protecting national security and preserving citizens’ rights over time.
These perspectives were prominently shared during the recent 6th Kano Social Influencers Summit, organized by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) in Kano, a major commercial center.
A standout moment at the summit was an insightful lecture titled “Disinformation, Deepfake, and AI: Their Implications for Media and the Public,” presented by Professor Bala Mohammed from the Faculty of Communication at Bayero University, Kano (BUK). Professor Bala, a seasoned mass communication scholar, delved into the intricate dynamics between misinformation, AI-generated deepfakes, and their societal consequences.
He emphasized that the exploitation of AI stands as one of the foremost communication challenges confronting many African countries, including Nigeria, in today’s digital age. While AI holds vast promise for advancing journalism and enriching public dialogue, its misuse threatens the integrity of truth, democratic governance, and social cohesion, demanding a nuanced and balanced response.
Professor Bala highlighted that ethical innovation is fundamental to unlocking AI’s positive potential. Enhancing media literacy emerges as a vital strategy to sustain public trust and protect the credibility of the information environment shared by citizens.
“The current surge of information disorder in Nigeria jeopardizes peace, social cohesion, and the nation’s orderly development. Disturbingly, certain actors deliberately propagate harmful content through social media and AI platforms,” he remarked.
He elaborated that those driving this wave of misinformation often circulate manipulated AI-generated content that is frequently deceptive, inaccurate, or grossly distorted.
“It is particularly alarming that even highly educated individuals contribute to the spread and endorsement of such damaging material. This trend signals a widening gap in media literacy, which fuels negative narratives and threatens societal stability,” Professor Bala observed.
Although he refrained from calling for stringent regulation of social media and AI, he advocated for the adoption of ethical frameworks, moral principles, and focused regulatory policies to ensure responsible use of these technologies within Nigeria.
He called for the development of strong policy, legal, and legislative structures to guarantee accountability in technology deployment, aiming to curb reckless and harmful practices.
To effectively tackle these issues, Professor Bala stressed the necessity of a unified, cross-sectoral collaboration to boost public awareness and digital literacy, creating a resilient barrier against misinformation.
He also urged the government to expand educational initiatives that equip citizens with critical skills to assess and verify information sources. Concurrently, media outlets should incorporate AI-driven tools designed to identify synthetic content before dissemination.
In conclusion, he underscored the urgent requirement for clear ethical and legal standards to prevent AI abuse while protecting freedom of expression. Cooperation among technology companies, journalists, and fact-checkers is crucial for prompt and effective countermeasures against the spread of disinformation throughout Nigeria.