INEC Trains Voter Education Officers on Strategic Communication, Misinformation Monitoring Ahead of 2027 General Elections

Keffi, Nasarawa State – January 21, 2026

As part of preparations for the 2027 General Elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a two-day capacity-building programme for officers of its Voter Education and Publicity Department, focusing on strategic communication and misinformation monitoring.

The training, which is holding in Keffi, Nasarawa State, is organised in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). It brings together INEC personnel involved in voter education, public communication and stakeholder engagement, with the aim of strengthening the Commission’s capacity to effectively manage information and public perception in an increasingly complex media environment.

Declaring the workshop open, the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, expressed appreciation to IFES and other development partners for their continued support to the Commission. He explained that although the training had initially been planned ahead of previous elections, pressing operational demands at the time made it impossible to hold.

Mr. Ifogah noted that the workshop remains timely and relevant as INEC continues preparations for electoral activities in 2026 and beyond. He emphasised the growing complexity of the media landscape, driven largely by emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, which have significantly increased the spread and sophistication of misinformation and disinformation.

According to him, there is an urgent need for the Commission to be proactive in monitoring the information space, responding promptly and accurately to false narratives, and safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process. He urged participants to approach the training with open minds, actively engage with facilitators, and share practical experiences that would enhance INEC’s communication strategies. He also underscored the importance of interdepartmental collaboration and sustained stakeholder engagement in building public trust and ensuring credible elections.

Earlier, the training commenced with the introduction of participants by the Project Manager, IFES Nigeria, Ms. Judith Toryem. The Country Director, IFES Kenya, and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for Nigeria, Mr. Obaje Ukeh, delivered an in-depth session on the objectives and expectations of the programme. His presentation covered strategic communication in electoral contexts, public perception and trust in Nigeria’s elections, as well as effective use of social media and digital platforms.

Also participating in the training is the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of INEC, Mr. Adedayo Oketota, who is expected to share his extensive experience in strategic media engagement, election communication and public information management.

The workshop is expected to significantly enhance the capacity of INEC staff to navigate the evolving information landscape, counter misinformation effectively and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process ahead of future elections.

@IFES1987
@IFESNigeria
@UKinNigeria