The European Union has cautioned the Nigerian government against using concerns over artificial intelligence-generated misinformation as an excuse to restrict freedom of expression, silence journalists or suppress political dissent ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over the potential use of AI-generated deepfakes, fabricated election results and digital manipulation to mislead voters, undermine electoral integrity and trigger violence.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, gave the warning on Monday at the National Summit on Electoral Information Integrity in Abuja, where stakeholders examined the threats posed by artificial intelligence and foreign information manipulation to Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
The two-day summit, organised by the International Press Centre, the Centre for Media and Society and DAI under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Programme, was themed, “Beyond the Ballot: AI, FIMI and the Integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections.”
Mignot said artificial intelligence offered opportunities to improve translation, accessibility and communication but could also make deceptive content easier to produce and more difficult to identify.
He warned that efforts to combat AI-driven misinformation must not undermine fundamental democratic rights, stressing that criticism of public institutions should not automatically be classified as disinformation.
“The legitimate threat of AI manipulation must never become a pretext for state overreach, digital censorship or suppression of political dissent,” he said.
“A citizen questioning an institution is not necessarily spreading misinformation. A journalist reporting a failure is performing a democratic function.”
The EU envoy said the challenge extended beyond identifying deepfakes to creating an electoral information environment where citizens could access reliable information, institutions communicated credibly and independent journalism was protected.
He urged stakeholders to establish clear response mechanisms before electoral tensions intensified, warning that waiting until election day to determine responsibilities, verification channels and communication procedures could undermine efforts to contain misinformation.
Mignot identified early preparation, effective partnerships among stakeholders and the protection of democratic rights as key priorities for Nigeria ahead of the 2027 polls.
Also speaking at the summit, former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to consider deploying artificial intelligence-powered chatbots to provide voters with accurate information and counter false claims.
See also: 2027: INEC Faces Pressure as AI-Generated Photos Rock Voter Register
Jega, who chaired the summit, said the technology could allow citizens to obtain official responses to electoral questions and verify information circulating on social media and other digital platforms.
He said the recommendation followed discussions at the 2024 Cambridge Conference on Electoral Democracy, where participants examined how election management bodies, particularly in Africa, could use chatbots to tackle misinformation and disinformation.
Jega urged INEC to consider adopting the technology if it had yet to do so, arguing that AI could serve as a useful tool for improving public access to verified electoral information.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, also raised concerns over the possible use of fabricated election results, deepfakes and other forms of digital manipulation to undermine public confidence in the electoral process and provoke violence.
The summit also featured calls for stronger protection of journalists covering the elections, improved security for campaign teams and measures to prevent political attacks and intimidation.
The discussions come as political parties and electoral stakeholders prepare for the 2027 general elections, with growing attention on how artificial intelligence and online misinformation could influence political campaigns, voter decisions and public trust in election results.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
