INEC Leadership Workshop Tackles Misinformation, Reinforces Public Trust Ahead of 2027 Elections

Abuja, Nigeria – January 14, 2026

A significant and urgent focus of the Chairman’s remarks at the recent INEC leadership workshop was the contemporary threat posed by misinformation and the pressing imperative to rebuild public trust. He revealed concrete examples of recent disinformation campaigns, including completely fabricated viral stories alleging that INEC had released the official 2027 election timetable and was recruiting 10,000 staff.

“Democracy can be a shell without the lifeblood of trust,” he declared. “Today that trust is being systematically undermined by diverse sources of misinformation and disinformation… where fake news travels faster than the truth.” He positioned the leadership workshop as a direct strategic countermeasure to this toxic environment, aimed at forging a leadership cohort capable of decisive, unified, and transparent action to safeguard electoral integrity.

The event’s international partners delivered resonant messages of solidarity and shared purpose. Mr. Seray Jah of IFES welcomed the participants, affirming that the workshop “effectively marks the early strategic phase of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.” He stressed that electoral credibility is “determined far more by decisions taken early in the cycle than by actions taken close to election day,” and lauded INEC’s proactive and forward-looking approach. IFES, he reaffirmed, remains fully committed to supporting the Commission throughout the complex and critical journey ahead.

In a poignant display of continental brotherhood and professional camaraderie, Chairperson Mosotho Simon Moepya of the South African IEC shared his warm encouragement and solidarity. “We look to you to do well. We don’t look to you not to do well,” he said, reminding the gathering of Nigeria’s profound importance to Africa’s democratic trajectory. A frequent collaborator with INEC, Chairperson Moepya offered the IEC’s unwavering fellowship: “We want to accompany you on the journey. We want you to get far… and we want you to do well.”
Dr. Matthew Ayibakuro, representing the UK FCDO, reinforced the deep, two-decade-long partnership between the UK and INEC. He linked the quality of elections directly to national development, citing an academic hypothesis that “the delivery of a single free and credible election could accelerate democracy and development by over a decade in most countries in Africa.” He commended the new INEC leadership and the Commission’s exceptional commitment to dedicating two full weeks to strategic planning and training, calling it “inspiring” and “reassuring” for all democracy stakeholders.

The workshop was attended by the complete core of INEC’s strategic leadership, including National Commissioners: Prof. Kunle Ajayi, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, Prof. Sunday Aja, Prof. Sani Adam, SAN, Dr. Baba Bila, Dr. Ken Ukeagu, Mr. Sam Olumekun, mni, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, and Abdulrasaq Tukur Yusuf. Also in attendance were Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, Secretary to the Commission; Prof. Ibrahim Sani, Acting Director-General of The Electoral Institute (TEI); Mr. Akin Fagbemi, Chief of Staff to the Chairman; Professor Dimis Mailafiya, Chief Technical Adviser; and Mr. Adedayo Oketota, Chief Press Secretary, along with Directors, Deputy Directors, and other senior management staff from INEC headquarters.

This gathering represents a unified command front, dedicated to achieving internal cohesion, strategic clarity, and operational excellence.
Professor Amupitan concluded with a forward-looking and galvanizing charge, invoking the wisdom of renowned management philosopher Peter Drucker: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Connect with the partners:
@IFESNigeria | @IFES1987 | @UKinNigeria