The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) have trained officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the South-West on effective 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, Wilfred Ifogah, INEC’s Deputy Director of Information and Publicity, 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 stressed that electoral officials must possess accurate information and the appropriate communication skills to explain electoral processes clearly, promptly and effectively, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 polls.
He noted that the media environment was already saturated with conflicting information, making it imperative for INEC personnel to distinguish verified reports from false narratives capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
According to him, the training would equip officials with the knowledge and skills required to communicate recent improvements in electoral procedures, address public concerns and help prevent misinformation from escalating into electoral crises.
He also cautioned journalists and members of the public against sharing unverified information, particularly AI-generated content and deepfakes designed to mislead 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 acknowledged the contributions of IPC and CEMESO, describing their support as valuable to INEC’s efforts to improve communication and ensure that accurate information reaches different categories of stakeholders.
Earlier, IPC Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, said electoral trust was shaped long before election day through the quality, accessibility and credibility of information provided to citizens.
He warned that false claims and negative AI-generated media could spread faster than official corrections, stressing the need for proactive communication, fact-checking and coordinated responses to address emerging misinformation.
Arogundade said the programme would create a platform for robust discussions on dcrisis communication, media relations, the 2026 Electoral Act, misinformation risk mapping, conflict-sensitive communication and inclusive voter’s engagement.
He said, that such discussion would help in preferring solutions to the various challenges confronting elecoral system in Nigeria.
Also speaking, CEMESO Executive Director, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, urged Voter Education and Publicity (VEP) officials to prioritise clarity, promptness and efficiency in communicating electoral information.
Akingbulu said the initiative would also 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 the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme, Component 4, Support to Media, implemented jointly by IPC and CEMESO.
The organisers,said the programme seeks to strengthen electoral communication, promote informed citizens’ participation and improve public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 elections.
