Ahead 2027 polls: FIAP, others train journalists, fact-checkers on electoral integrity

Ahead 2027 polls: FIAP, others train journalists, fact-checkers on electoral integrity

Kehinde Osasona

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas (FIAP), in collaboration with FactCheckAfrica, under the European Union Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project have trained journalists, fact-checkers and wikimedia professionals in Abuja on how to deepen electoral information integrity ahead of 2027 elections

The high-impact three-day capacity training had participants drawn within and outside Abuja.

The training programme centered on Interactive Media Seminar and Edit-a-thon aimed at strengthening the capacity of Wikimedia editors, newsroom editors and fact-checkers on how to counter disinformation and improve the quality of election-related information available to the public as the electorate March to the polls in 2027.

While dwelling on the need for the training, Founder of FactCheckAfrica, Abideen Olasupo noted that the collaboration between fact-checkers, journalists, and Wikimedia contributors provides an important pathway for making verified information more accessible and durable within Nigeria’s information ecosystem.

The goal according to him, is not simply to correct information once it becomes viral but to strengthen the systems so that accurate, well-sourced information is documented, reviewed, and made accessible to the public.

“We are creating a practical workflow that can support information integrity beyond the training room by bringing the professionals together.” Olasupo said.

A participant and Wikipedia Editor, Chinaza Ikechukwu, while recounting her experience said it was both practical and empowering.

According to her, she did not only gained hands-on skills in fact-checking, source verification, she noted that she is also equip more than before on how to go about open-source digital investigation through insightful presentations, practical exercises, group work, peer learning and an edit-a-thon.

“These are critical tools at a time when misinformation continues to distort decisions, fuel division, and silence truth.

“As a Wikipedia editor, I am now better equipped to maintain accurate, neutral, and well-sourced content that strengthens information integrity. And as a gender specialist, I am particularly committed to applying this knowledge to counter gender disinformation and ensure accurate representation of women in the information space.” Ikechukwu said.

At the end of the training, participants recorded 30 articles created, 99 articles edited, 437 total edits, 36 editors, approximately 133,000 words added, and 814 references added.

The activity also recorded 13 Wikimedia Commons uploads and approximately 10,200 article views at the time of reporting.

The Abuja seminar is part of the broader EPSG intervention on mis/disinformation, fact-checking and artificial intelligence learning, which seeks to strengthen the capacity of relevant actors to respond to information threats affecting peace, security and democratic governance in the ECOWAS region.