Key points
- The Presidency has warned Nigerians against the growing spread of deepfake videos and digitally manipulated content targeting the Tinubu administration.
- The government accused political actors of using religion and disinformation campaigns to create division ahead of the 2027 elections.
- Nigerians were urged to verify online content before sharing to avoid escalating religious and political tensions.
Main story
The Presidency on Thursday warned Nigerians against the increasing circulation of fake media contents, deepfake videos and digitally manipulated materials aimed at misleading the public and inciting religious division ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a public notice posted on its verified X handle, @NGRPresident, the Presidency accused certain political actors of deploying coordinated disinformation campaigns to discredit the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The statement, issued by the Office of Digital Engagement and Strategy, said recent incidents involving manipulated videos and fake audio clips formed part of deliberate efforts to weaponise religion for political purposes.
“We are aware of yet another deliberate attempt to weaponise religion for politics across various online platforms,” the statement read.
According to the Presidency, one of the manipulated contents involved a video that was overlaid with fake audio and false attributions in an attempt to portray President Tinubu negatively through the identity of a social media influencer.
The statement further revealed that another deepfake video was falsely linked to a religious leader in what it described as a calculated attempt to incite members of the Muslim community against the President.
“The pattern is becoming increasingly obvious,” the Presidency stated.
It warned that as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, attempts to spread falsehoods through social media platforms and WhatsApp groups were likely to increase.
According to the notice, some actors would continue to distort religious issues, manipulate context and manufacture outrage to polarise Nigerians along religious and political lines.
The Presidency reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to religious freedom, peaceful coexistence and national unity, noting that the President had consistently promoted interfaith harmony.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never hidden who he is. He is a Muslim. He is married to a Christian. He leads a multi-religious nation built on constitutional freedom of worship, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence,” the statement added.
The notice also referenced the President’s 2026 Lent and Ramadan message, where he emphasised that Islam and Christianity share common values rooted in peace, justice, compassion and love for humanity.
The Presidency urged Nigerians to exercise caution and critically verify provocative online content before sharing it, warning against attempts to sow discord among citizens of different faiths.
The issues
The rapid spread of misinformation, deepfake technology and digitally manipulated content has become a growing concern globally, particularly during politically sensitive periods. In Nigeria, experts warn that fake media materials capable of inflaming religious and ethnic tensions could threaten national unity and democratic stability ahead of the 2027 elections.
What’s next
As political activities ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum, authorities are expected to intensify public awareness efforts against fake news and digital manipulation while monitoring online platforms for disinformation campaigns capable of threatening national cohesion.
Bottom line
The Presidency’s warning underscores growing concerns over the use of deepfake technology and religious disinformation in Nigeria’s political space, with citizens urged to verify online content and resist attempts to fuel division ahead of the next election cycle.
