The Presidency has raised fresh concerns over what it described as an alarming increase in the circulation of fake media content and digitally manipulated materials aimed at misleading Nigerians, stirring religious tensions and discrediting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a public notice issued through the Presidency’s verified X handle, @NGRPresident, the Federal Government accused desperate political actors of deploying deepfake technology and coordinated disinformation campaigns to manipulate public opinion and create division within the country.
The statement, which was signed by the Office of Digital Engagement and Strategy in the Presidency, warned Nigerians to be cautious of misleading videos, doctored audio recordings and fabricated social media posts currently being circulated across various online platforms.
According to the Presidency, recent incidents involving manipulated digital content were not isolated acts but part of a broader strategy designed to weaponise religion and exploit the country’s sensitive political environment for selfish political gains.
“We are aware of yet another deliberate attempt to weaponise religion for politics across various online platforms,” the statement said.
The government noted that one of the latest incidents involved a manipulated video that was allegedly overlaid with fake audio and false attributions in a bid to portray President Tinubu negatively through the identity of a social media influencer.
Officials explained that the misleading material was carefully edited to create false impressions capable of provoking outrage, misleading unsuspecting citizens and intensifying political hostility online.
The Presidency expressed concern that advances in artificial intelligence and digital editing technology have made it easier for individuals and groups to manufacture convincing but entirely false media content capable of spreading rapidly before verification.
It warned that the growing use of deepfake technology represents a dangerous threat to national unity, democratic stability and responsible political discourse, especially as political activities gradually begin to intensify ahead of the next election cycle.
According to the statement, the Tinubu administration remains committed to protecting democratic values and ensuring that public conversations are driven by facts rather than manipulation and propaganda.
The Presidency urged Nigerians, media organisations and social media users to exercise caution and verify information before sharing sensitive materials online.
It stressed that many of the manipulated videos and fabricated recordings circulating on social media are deliberately designed to exploit emotions, deepen mistrust and inflame ethnic or religious divisions among citizens.
Government officials also appealed to religious leaders, civil society groups and digital content creators to support efforts aimed at promoting peace, responsible communication and national cohesion.
The notice further warned that individuals or groups found deliberately creating or distributing fake content capable of threatening national security or inciting hatred could face legal consequences under existing cybercrime and information regulations.
Political analysts say the warning reflects growing concerns globally about the misuse of artificial intelligence tools and digital propaganda in shaping political narratives and influencing public opinion.
In recent years, deepfake videos and manipulated audio clips have emerged as powerful tools in political misinformation campaigns around the world, often making it difficult for ordinary citizens to distinguish between genuine and fabricated content.
Experts have repeatedly warned that the rapid spread of false information on social media platforms could undermine trust in democratic institutions and increase political tensions if left unchecked.
The Presidency therefore called on Nigerians to remain vigilant, avoid spreading unverified content and rely on credible sources of information when engaging with political discussions online.
The government maintained that preserving national unity and democratic stability requires collective responsibility from citizens, media practitioners and political actors alike.
As preparations for the 2027 elections slowly gather momentum, the latest warning signals the administration’s determination to confront disinformation campaigns and prevent the misuse of religion, technology and digital platforms as tools for political destabilisation.
