By Amarachi Jim-Nwoko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has pledged to deepen its partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council in combating disinformation and promoting credible information dissemination ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, made the commitment in a goodwill message delivered during the 2026 NUJ FCT Press Week held in Abuja.
Abdullahi described the theme of the press week, “2027 Elections: Defending Nigeria’s Democracy in the Age of Disinformation,” as timely and significant, noting that while digital technology has improved access to information, it has also accelerated the spread of falsehood and manipulation.
According to him, the growing menace of disinformation poses a serious threat to democratic values by weakening public trust and distorting facts.
“We live in an era where technology has democratized the flow of information, but it has also weaponized falsehoods. Disinformation does not just distort facts; it erodes the very trust that holds a democratic society together,” he said.
The NITDA boss described journalists as frontline defenders of truth and democratic accountability, stressing that technology alone cannot solve the challenge of fake news and misinformation without professional ethics and integrity.
“At NITDA, we firmly believe that technology should be an instrument for empowerment, not polarization. However, code and algorithms alone cannot fight disinformation—it requires human integrity, critical thinking, and a steadfast commitment to the truth,” Abdullahi stated.
He assured media practitioners of the agency’s continued support through digital literacy programmes, tools, and frameworks designed to help journalists navigate the evolving digital information landscape safely and effectively.
Abdullahi also commended the NUJ FCT Council under the leadership of Grace Ike for organising what he described as a holistic and impactful press week programme that combines intellectual engagement with mental health advocacy and community outreach.
He expressed confidence that discussions during the event would contribute to strengthening democracy and fostering a more informed society.
The 2026 NUJ FCT Press Week attracted journalists, government officials, security representatives, and other stakeholders from across the country.
