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World Economic Forum names misinformation, disinformation among top global risk

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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World Economic Forum names misinformation, disinformation among top global risk

THE World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026 (WEF) has confirmed that misinformation and disinformation continue to rank among the world’s most severe global risks.

In the report published by WEF on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, misinformation and disinformation were ranked second among the most severe global risks among short-term risks, surpassed only by Geoeconomic confrontation.

This places false and misleading information ahead of numerous economic, environmental, and security-related threats in the short term.

The report reflects responses from over 1,300 global leaders and experts across academia, business, government, international organizations and civil society, surveyed under the Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS). The survey was released ahead of the annual gathering of CEO and world leaders in Davos, Switzerland.

The report situated misinformation and disinformation within a broader category of largely unchecked technological risks. Advances in artificial intelligence, automation, and digital platforms have expanded access to powerful tools capable of producing and amplifying false information at scale.

Misinformation and disinformation were a growing concern in the digital space, as the integrity of online news and information came under increasing strain.

Advancement in technology made it more difficult to distinguish between authentic content and synthetic material, including manipulated videos, audio recordings and written texts.

At the same time, the widespread use of social media continued to reshape how people access and interpret information, gradually reducing reliance on traditional sources such as government institutions, academia and the mainstream media.

The WEF’s Managing Director Saadia Zahidi said the report “offers an early warning system as the age of competition compounds global risks, from geoeconomic confrontation to unchecked technology to rising debt, and changes our collective capacity to address them. But none of these risks are a foregone conclusion.”

Zahidi’s words gave hope despite the negative outlook, noting:

“It is also clear that new forms of global cooperation are already unfolding even amid competition, and the global economy is demonstrating resilience in the face of uncertainty.”

Amidst the uncertainty, the annual meeting is set to address the global issues, priorities and cooperation.

The report assessed global risks across three timeframes: the immediate term (2026), the short-to-medium term (to 2028), and the long term (to 2036).

Global risks ranked by severity.
Global risks ranked by severity.

The top risks were generally categorised by time horizon as their urgency and severity shift over time. In the long term, defined as a 10-year outlook, environmental risks remain at the top of the ranking.

Extreme weather events are classified as the first, followed by biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse, critical change to Earth systems and misinformation and disinformation, which ranked fourth.

Old video of Fubara saying Rivers assembly members do not exist resurfaces online 

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Old video of Fubara saying Rivers assembly members do not exist resurfaces online 

A video showing the governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, stating that the members of the state assembly do not exist have resurfaced online, with a claim that it shows the governor’s comment amid a renewed political crisis in the state. 

An X user, @novieverest posted the video with a caption: 

“Sim Fubara is now talking like an APC Governor.

The ability to be demonic and Indaboski bahoose war mood. What cards does Wike have left? Lessons.” 

READ : Did Tinubu order reinstatement of Fubara?

The post has generated over 200 reposts and more than 800 likes as of January 13, 2026. 

Another X user, Lere Olayinka posted the video with a caption : 

“Fubara to Rivers assembly members: I determine your existence, I can de-recognise you.

Those group of men who claim that are Assembly members are not Assembly members, they are not existing. I want it to be on record. I accepted that Peace Accord to give them a floating. That is the truth. 

These are people that were eating in my house, these are people I have helped paid their children’s school fees when I wasn’t even a governor. So, what is the thing there? Their existence is me allowing them to exist. If I de-recognise them, they are nowhere.” 

The post has generated over 300 reposts and more than 1,000 likes as of January 13, 2026. 

CLAIM 

Video shows recent Fubara’s comment on the River’s political crisis.

 

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING. 

Rivers State has been enmeshed in a prolonged political crisis stemming from a power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). 

The conflict, which became public shortly after Fubara assumed office in May 2023, reflects deep fractures within the state’s political elite and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). At the heart of the crisis is a contest over political control, loyalty, and influence within the state government and the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Tensions escalated in October 2023 when lawmakers perceived to be loyal to Wike initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara, accusing him of gross misconduct. The move triggered widespread unrest, including the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex under unclear circumstances. 

The governor responded by suspending several officials and restructuring parts of the state government, while a faction of the Assembly declared seats vacant and aligned itself with opposing political interests. The crisis soon drew national attention, prompting President Bola Tinubu to intervene and broker a fragile peace agreement in December 2023, which included reinstating lawmakers and restoring political calm.

READ ALSO : No! Photo does not show Rivers’ INEC Commissioner wearing Tinubu’s cap

Despite the presidential intervention, the truce proved short-lived. Political hostilities have resurfaced this year with parallel legislative sittings, court battles, and continued accusations from both camps. 

However, checks by The FactCheckHub show that the video circulating does not accurately reflect Fubara’s recent comment. The video has been online since May 2024. An earlier version was posted by BBC pidgin on May 7, 2024.

In the video, Fubara told a visiting delegation from Bayelsa State led by former Governor Seriake Dickson that there is no House of Assembly in the state, a statement that suggests the collapse of the peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu.

The delegation, which included political and traditional rulers from Bayelsa State, paid Governor Fubara a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.

“Let me say it here, those group of men who claim that they are assembly members, they are not existing. I want it to be on record,”Fubara said. 

Fubara declared that the state has no house of assembly that he accepted the peace deal to give the lawmakers a “floating”.

“I accepted that peace accord to give them a floating. That’s the truth. There is nothing in that peace accord that is a constitutional issue. It is a political solution to a problem. I accepted it because these are people that were visiting me and we were together in my house.

“These are people that I have helped… in many ways when I wasn’t even a governor. Yes, we might have our disagreements, but I believe that one day, we could also come together. That was the reason I did it.

“But I think it has gotten to a time when I need to make a statement on this thing, so that they understand that they are not existing. Their existence and whatever they have been doing is because I allowed them to do so. If I don’t recognise them, they are nowhere, that is the truth,” Governor Fubara said.

The video was before the renewed crisis in the state. 

VERDICT 

The claim that the video shows Fubara recently saying that the state assembly does not exist in the state is MISLEADING. The video has been online since 2024. 

Video does NOT show Kwankwaso “begging” Obi for VP ticket ahead of 2027 election

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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0
Video does NOT show Kwankwaso “begging” Obi for VP ticket ahead of 2027 election

A video circulating on social media claims to show the National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, begging the 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to grant him the Vice Presidential ticket for the 2027 general election.

The 3:29-seconds clip shows Kwankwaso speaking at a caucus meeting with NNPP members and supporters.

An X user @AdcNews_ posted the video with the caption:

READ: Kwankwaso did NOT delete X post reacting to Trump’s comment

“I will accept VP ticket to Obi. PhD Kwankwaso begs.”

As of January 12, 2026, the video had garnered over 314,000 views, 1,254 reposts and more than 5,372 likes.

CLAIM

Video shows Kwankwaso begging Peter Obi for the Vice-presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election.

THE FINDINGS

A review of the video by The FactCheckHub researcher found no instance where Rabiu Kwankwaso begged to become Obi’s vice-presidential running mate.

Further, a keyword search conducted by The FactCheckHub led to news reports by Punch and PM News, which provided context to Kwankwaso’s remarks in the video.

Kwankwaso, who was speaking to members and supporters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) during a Kwankwasiyya gathering at his residence on Miller Road, Kano, dismissed claims of any conspiracy and outlined conditions under which he would consider political alliances.

He explained that previous political decisions were shaped by circumstances at the time but said the current state of the nation requires unity and collective action to tackle its challenges.

READ ALSO:Photo showing Kwankwaso wearing Tinubu’s trademark cap is photoshopped

“But now we are talking about the issue of our dear country. So we have to unite so we can become successful,” Kwankwaso said.

“We are hoping to form a coalition with another party, be it NNPP or any other party. But what we want is a party that will agree that I, Kwankwaso, will be either the number one (President) or the number two (Vice President).”

Obi was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election. At the time, speculation emerged that Kwankwaso might serve as his running mate. Kwankwaso, however, publicly rejected the claim, citing his political seniority and academic credentials.

VERDICT

The claim that the video shows Kwankwaso begging Peter Obi is false and MISLEADING.

Old video falsely presented as Osimhen’s apology after recent altercation with Lookman

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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0
Old video falsely presented as Osimhen’s apology after recent altercation with Lookman

A video circulating on social media falsely claims to show Victor Osimhen apologising to Nigerians and his teammates following the recent on field alteration with Lookman.

The short clip shows Osimhen speaking during an interview with Sulaiman Adebayo also known as Pooja, where he apologised to Nigerians, acknowledged the high expectations from fans worldwide, and stressed that there was no pressure within the team because they trusted their quality and see AFCON as an opportunity to right past wrongs.

A verified X user @Gen_Buhar posted the video with the caption:

“Victor Osimhen apologise to team mates and Nigerians, let’s move on. He is just a winning player with too much expectations from his team mates.”

As of January 9, 2026, the video had garnered over 7,000 likes, 900 reposts and more than 420,000 views.

CLAIM

Video shows Osimhen apologising after the clash with Lookman on the pitch.

Screenshot of the viral post

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

The video is circulating following an on-field altercation between 2023 African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and his successor, Ademola Lookman, during Nigeria’s 4–0 win over Mozambique on Monday.

The ICIR reported that Nigeria annihilated the history-chasing Mambas at the Fez Stadium, with Osimhen scoring twice and Lookman and Akor Adams adding one goal each.

However, the emphatic victory was overshadowed by a confrontation between the two former African Players of the Year shortly after the hour mark, which later saw Osimhen request to be substituted.

In a viral video that emerged after the match, Osimhen appeared to confront Lookman over what was believed to be the latter’s failure to pass the ball in a clear scoring position.

The Galatasaray of Turkey striker’s action surprised even the Mozambican players, who tried to restrain him from continuing his outbursts against Lookman. Osimhen subsequently called for a substitution and left the dressing room.

However, the video in circulation did not show Osimhen apologising to Nigerians and the fans at large over the altercation. A reverse image search conducted by The FactCheckHub revealed that the video was posted online days before the incident. It was originally shared by POOJAMEDIA on December 21, 2025.

The video captures Osimhen apologising to Nigerians and fans worldwide after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In the interview, he emphasised the team’s belief in their quality and described the upcoming AFCON as an opportunity to make amends.

“We have to use this opportunity to say we’re sorry for not getting the World Cup ticket.”

“We know the disappointment on the faces of many Nigerian fans. Life has happened, so we have to keep it moving. This AFCON is an opportunity for us to do well and try to make sure that we win the tournament.”

The video has no connection with the recent altercation between Osimhen and his fellow teammate.

VERDICT

The claim that the video shows Victor Osimhen apologising to Nigerians after an altercation with Ademola Lookman is MISLEADING. The video predates the incident and was recorded after Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Old video falsely presented as Tinubu’s 2026 new year address

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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0
Old video falsely presented as Tinubu’s 2026 new year address

A video circulating on social media falsely claims to show President Bola Tinubu delivering a bleak message to Nigerians during his 2026 New Year’s address.

The short clip features Tinubu telling Nigerians that there was nothing else he could do to ease the economic hardship facing the country.

An X user, Obiasogu David, posted the video with the caption:

“Listen to Tinubu, the ‘President’ of Nigeria, delivering a ‘New Year’ speech that was supposed to give his people motivation and hope.”

READ : Grok Watermark triggered doubts over Tinubu–Kagame photo

As of January 7, 2026, the post had attracted over 2,000 reposts and more than 5,000 reposts, and thousands of comments, many of which suggested viewers believed the clip was recent.

CLAIM

Video shows President Bola Tinubu speaking during his 2026 New Year’s address, admitting to a bleak economic outlook.

screenshot of viral post misleadingly used to represent Tinubu 2026 new year message

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

The claim emerged amid heightened political tension, with Nigeria approaching another general election cycle and ongoing public debates over economic reforms, inflation, fuel pricing, and insecurity. These conditions have fuelled scepticism toward the current administration and increased the virality of politically charged content online.

A keyword search of Tinubu’s statements in the video shows that the clip dates back to July 2023, when the president addressed Nigerians in a nationwide broadcast following the removal of fuel subsidy. The earlier and longer version was posted by Channels TV on 31 July 2023.

During that address, Tinubu explained that the decision was unavoidable, stating that if there were alternative ways to fix the economy without removing the subsidy, he would have taken them.

READ ALSO :  Video does not show Tinubu’s response to Trump’s military action threat

His full statement reads:

“I had promised to reform the economy for the long-term good by fighting the major imbalances that had plagued our economy.  Ending the subsidy and the preferential exchange rate system were key to this fight. This fight is to define the fate and future of our nation. Much is in the balance.

“Our economy is going through a tough patch and you are being hurt by it, I know. The cost of fuel has gone up. Food and other prices have followed it. Households and businesses are struggling. Things seem anxious and uncertain. I understand the hardship you face. I wish there were other ways. But there is not. If there were, I would have taken that route as I came here to help not hurt the people and nation that I love so dearly. What I can offer and immediate is to reduce the burden of the current economic situation, which has imposed on all of us.”

The removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023 led to a sharp rise in petrol prices and living costs, sparking nationwide debate and criticism at the time. The viral clip is a segment from that 2023 broadcast and has no connection to events in 2026.

Further checks show that President Tinubu did not deliver a live broadcast for the 2026 New Year. Instead, his New Year message was released in text form, where he struck a notably different tone.

In the 2026 message, Tinubu expressed optimism, citing moderating inflation, improved foreign reserves, increased investment inflows, and signs of economic recovery following reforms implemented in 2025.

VERDICT

The claim that the video shows President Bola Tinubu’s 2026 New Year’s address is MISLEADING. The clip is from a 2023 nationwide broadcast on fuel subsidy removal and has been wrongly presented as a recent New Year’s speech.

Video does not show Osimhen reconciling with teammates after confrontation with Lookman

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Video does not show Osimhen reconciling with teammates after confrontation with Lookman

A video showing Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen heading toward the tunnel before being hugged by his teammate, Alex Iwobi, has surfaced online with claims that the moment followed an on-pitch altercation between Osimhen and fellow teammate Ademola Lookman.

An X user, @Usmanashafe posted the video with a caption : 

“This is so beautiful.  Alex iwobi hugged Osimhen in the dressing room after his outburst with Ademola and he went so emotional. We are all humans after all.” 

READ : Did Kanu win CAF award the year Osimhen was born?

The video has generated over 2,000 reposts and more than 25,000 likes as of January 7, 2026. 

The video also surfaced here on X  and here on Facebook. 

CLAIM 

Video shows Osimhen after an altercation with Lookman on the pitch. 

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING. 

The video is circulating following an on-field altercation between 2023 African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and his successor, Ademola Lookman, during Nigeria’s 4–0 win over Mozambique on Monday.

The ICIR reported that Nigeria annihilated the history-chasing Mambas at the Fez Stadium, with Osimhen scoring twice and Lookman and Akor Adams adding one goal each.

However, the emphatic victory was overshadowed by a confrontation between the two former African Players of the Year shortly after the hour mark, which later saw Osimhen request to be substituted.

READ ALSO : How AI-generated videos could fuel sports misinformation

In a viral video that emerged after the match, Osimhen appeared to confront Lookman over what was believed to be the latter’s failure to pass the ball in a clear scoring position. 

The Galatasaray of Turkey striker’s action surprised even the Mozambican players, who tried to restrain him from continuing his outbursts against Lookman. Osimhen subsequently called for a substitution and left the dressing room.

However, the video in circulation did not show Osimhen reconciling with the team and being consoled by fellow teammates after the altercation.

The FactCheckHub subjected the video to reverse image search, and the result showed that the video had been online a year before the incident. It was posted by the Confederation of African Football on February 1, 2024.  

The video showed Osimhen heading to the dressing room ahead of the Angola Game in the quarter-finals of the 2023 African Cup of Nations. The video showed his teammate coming to hug him after the victory in the round of 16 against Cameroon. 

The video has no connection with the recent altercation between Osimhen and his fellow teammate.

VERDICT 

The claim that the video shows Osimhen and Iwobi hugging each other after the latter’s altercation with his fellow teammate, Ademola Lookman is MISLEADING. The video was taken at the 2023 African Cup of Nations. 

Video of youths rejoicing after winning competition falsely used to depict Sokoto residents’ excitement over US military strike

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
Video of youths rejoicing after winning competition falsely used to depict Sokoto residents’ excitement over US military strike

A video showing a group of youths singing and celebrating on a dusty area has circulated online with claims that it depicts residents of Sokoto jubilating after a US military strike in the state.

An X user, @afrisagacity posted the video with a caption:

“A video of Sokoto indigenes celebrating the killing and displacement of the [sic] Lakuwara terrorists in the state by the U.S. Military.

See how overjoyed and frenzied they are. They had suffered in silence for so long that this feels like a historic liberation!”

READ : Old image falsely used to depict airstrike in Kwara

The post has generated over 300 reposts and more than 600 likes as of January 5, 2026.

Another X user, @Abdullayofel posted the video with a caption :

“VIDEO: Indigenous people of Sokoto rejoicing and celebrating after the terrorist group Lukarawa were defeated following the Nigeria/ US Army collaboration…. ISWAP Mop them all.”

CLAIM

Video shows Sokoto residents celebrating after a US airstrike.

screenshot of viral video showing youths rejoicing after winning competition

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

The ICIR reported that the US announced it carried out “powerful and deadly” strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) elements operating in North-Western Nigeria on Christmas Day, December 25.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attacks targeted terrorist elements through collaboration with the US as part of “structured security cooperation with international partners to address terrorism and violent extremism in the country.”

READ ALSO : Old footage from Côte d’Ivoire used to depict US Christmas military strike in Sokoto

Similarly, the Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, a major general, said the operation demonstrated the Federal Government’s resolve, in collaboration with strategic international partners, to confront transnational terrorism and prevent foreign fighters from gaining a foothold in Nigeria.

The FactCheckHub subjected the video in circulation to Google reverse image search, and the result showed that the video was originally posted by a TikTok user, MR_B_A_B_YARON_SOKOTO, on Thursday, January 1, without any caption.

After the video went viral, the user released another video clarifying that the footage was taken after they won a competition. The video, he explained, captured their joy after their efforts since last year, before later emerging victorious.

VERDICT

The claim that the video shows Sokoto residents rejoicing over a US military strike in the state is MISLEADING. The video shows youths celebrating after winning a competition.

Grok Watermark triggered doubts over Tinubu–Kagame photo

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Grok Watermark triggered doubts over Tinubu–Kagame photo

A Photograph shared from President Bola Tinubu’s reported meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Paris has triggered widespread debate on social media after users observed a Grok watermark on the image.

This prompts questions over whether artificial intelligence was used to generate or manipulate the photograph.

Tinubu, on Sunday, January 4, disclosed via his verified X account, @officialABAT, that he hosted President Kagame to a private lunch in Paris, the French capital.

According to Tinubu, the meeting provided an opportunity for both leaders to deliberate on global developments and Africa’s position in a rapidly changing international environment.

“This afternoon, I had a private lunch with H. E. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda to discuss the current state of world affairs and advancing Africa in an ever-changing global landscape,” Tinubu wrote.

The meeting occurred during the Nigerian president’s trip to Europe. Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, had earlier announced in a statement that Tinubu departed Lagos on Sunday, December 28, 2025, for Europe, continuing his end-of-year break and ahead of an official engagement in the United Arab Emirates.

READ : 12 AI tools to use in 2026 to work smarter, sell faster, compete globally

According to the statement, Tinubu was invited by the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to participate in the 2026 edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026) summit.

The weeklong event is an annual gathering that brings together global leaders from government, business, and civil society to shape discussions on sustainable development.

With the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,” ADSW 2026 is expected to connect ambition with action across innovation, finance, and people, highlighting pathways for global progress. The Presidency stated that Tinubu would return to Nigeria after the summit.

Grok watermark raises questions

However, controversy emerged after the photograph posted on Tinubu’s verified X account carried the watermark of Grok, a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by xAI, an AI company owned by billionaire Elon Musk. Grok is known for real-time search, AI-powered text generation, image creation, and image editing capabilities.

The same image was also shared by Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to the President on New Media, further fueling reactions and scrutiny across social media platforms.

Several X and other social media users criticised the development, questioning why a photograph documenting a high-level diplomatic meeting would carry an AI watermark. Some users alleged that the image might have been artificially generated, while others accused the Presidency of attempting to mislead the public.

One X user, @WarepamorSammy, posted a strongly worded criticism accusing the president of using an AI-generated image to deceive Nigerians. Another user, @He_isJustin, wrote, “You should be ashamed to be honest. AI generated image posted by a ‘President’.”

Similarly, an X user identified as Ademola questioned the credibility of the image, suggesting that the use of an AI-generated photo reflected deeper issues within the administration.

Another critic, who tweets as #sonickay, also pointed out the Grok watermark and demanded clarity on the president’s whereabouts and activities.

Public scepticism and record of disinformation

The ICIR reports that the intensity of public reaction is influenced by previous instances in which the Nigerian Presidency has issued misleading or inaccurate information.

For instance, on April 29, 2025, Dada Olusegun shared two contrasting images on X purporting to compare water transportation in Anambra State under former Governor Peter Obi and Lagos State under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The image depicting Obi showed him in a wooden canoe in a flooded area, while the Lagos image showed a modern watercraft.

Olusegun captioned the post: “Water transportation in Anambra under Obi vs. water transportation in Lagos under Babajide Sanwo-Olu.”

However, a reverse image search conducted by The FactCheckHub revealed that the image of Obi was taken in October 2022, eight years after he left office, during a visit to flood victims while he was a presidential candidate.

In another case, during the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, the Presidency shared a video of Tinubu purportedly addressing Nigerians and urging patience amid economic hardship. Investigations later revealed that the video was extracted from an older broadcast made in July 2023.

Additionally, on January 6, 2025, presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, inaccurately claimed that Julius Debrah was the Chief of Staff to former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo. Fact-checks showed that Debrah was, in fact, the Chief of Staff to the current Ghanaian President, John Mahama, while Akufo-Addo’s Chief of Staff was Akosua Frema Osei-Opare.

Presidency clarifies Grok image

Amid the controversy, Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, issued a statement with the title “Stop Press”, on Monday, January 5. He dismissed claims that the image of Tinubu and Kagame was AI-generated.

READ ALSO : How AI made deepfakes harder to detect in 2025

According to Ajayi, the photograph was taken with a mobile phone and was initially of poor quality. He explained that the photographer later used Grok to enhance the image quality, not to fabricate the scene or generate a fake photograph.

Ajayi added that both presidents indeed met in Paris and later had dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron the same day. He criticised media reports and social media reactions that concluded the image was fake without proper verification.

Can Grok be used to refine images?

Findings by The ICIR showed that Grok could be used for image refinement and modification. The tool allows users to improve brightness, exposure, and overall clarity, as well as modify backgrounds and posture using simple text prompts.

File photo of interim Venezuela President
The ICIR conducted a test run using a file photograph of Venezuela’s interim president and successfully enhanced the image, changed the background, and altered posture using Grok’s tools. These features are powered by Aurora, xAI’s photorealistic image model introduced in late 2024.

The enhanced picture of Venezuela Interim president with her background and posture changed with Grok

      The enhanced picture of Venezuela Interim president with her background and posture changed with Grok

    The image-editing function, integrated into the X platform and Grok’s standalone applications, enables AI-assisted visual adjustments with fewer content restrictions compared to similar tools, such as Google’s Gemini.

     

    2026 in view: fact-checking, elections and information integrity in Nigeria

    Fatimah Quadri
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    2026 in view: fact-checking, elections and information integrity in Nigeria

    IN 2025, the global fact-checking landscape faced mounting pressure as AI-generated and deepfake content became more widespread and increasingly sophisticated, often making manipulation harder to detect than in previous years.

    This period also coincided with funding uncertainty for several fact-checking organisations and growing debate over platform accountability. In the United States, some major technology companies began shifting away from third-party fact-checking programmes toward community-driven models, such as Community Notes, raising questions about the effectiveness and consistency of these approaches.

    Later in the year, the sector faced additional strain following a U.S. policy shift restricted visas for individuals who had worked in fact-checking and content moderation. Together, these developments highlighted the increasingly hostile and unstable environment in which fact-checkers now operate.

    READ ALSO: How AI made deepfakes harder to detect in 2025

    Against this backdrop, several trends are expected to shape the fact-checking landscape in Nigeria in 2026, particularly around elections and information integrity. As the country moves closer to the next general elections, the quality and credibility of information will play a decisive role in shaping public trust, voter behaviour, and democratic participation.

    Recent election cycles have shown that misinformation is no longer confined to polling periods; it emerges early, spreads rapidly, and exploits gaps in digital governance, media literacy, and platform accountability.

    In 2026, these dynamics are likely to intensify, presenting new challenges for fact-checkers, journalists, and election stakeholders.

    1. Early, prolonged election misinformation

    Misinformation in 2026 is expected to take the form of prolonged narrative-building, as seen subtly before the 2023 elections. Political actors may spend months casting doubt on electoral institutions, questioning voter registers, or framing outcomes as predetermined or illegitimate. Once established, these narratives are difficult to reverse and often resurface during key moments, reducing the effectiveness of last-minute fact-checks.

    2. More local and convincing AI political fakes

    The growing accessibility of generative AI tools means manipulated political content will increasingly reflect Nigerian realities. Deepfake videos, cloned voice notes, and AI-generated images may feature recognisable public figures, local accents, and culturally specific messaging, making it harder for audiences to detect falsehoods. This trend will challenge traditional verification approaches that rely heavily on visual cues or known manipulation patterns.

    3. Closed platforms shape political narratives

    Encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram are expected to remain central to political mobilisation and misinformation in 2026. Messages circulated in closed groups, often framed as “insider information” or community alerts, will be difficult to monitor and correct. By the time these narratives reach public platforms, they may already have shaped opinions at the grassroots level.

    4. Rising distrust for independent media

    As election-related verification intensifies, fact-checkers and journalists may face growing hostility from political actors and their supporters. Corrections are increasingly at risk of being dismissed as partisan, while verification organisations may be accused of serving foreign or political interests.

    Based on past election cycles, there is also a heightened risk of online harassment, legal intimidation, or regulatory pressure being used to discourage scrutiny of political claims ahead of the 2027 elections.

    5. Unchecked narratives in local languages

    Misinformation in local languages and dialects is expected to continue outpacing fact-checking efforts, particularly in regions where political communication relies heavily on oral, cultural, or religious messaging. At the same time, major technology platforms may rely heavily on automated moderation systems, with limited local context and delayed responses to flagged election-related content. These gaps could allow harmful narratives to spread largely unchecked during critical moments.

    Together, these trends suggest that the challenge for fact-checkers in 2026 is likely to extend beyond debunking individual claims. It will increasingly involve tracking long-term narratives, responding to more sophisticated AI-generated content, and finding effective ways to reach audiences in private and local-language spaces.

    Strengthening information integrity ahead of Nigeria’s next elections will require faster verification, greater platform accountability, legal protections for independent media, and sustained investment in media literacy and pre-bunking efforts.

    12 AI tools to use in 2026 to work smarter, sell faster, compete globally

    Nurudeen Akewushola
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    12 AI tools to use in 2026 to work smarter, sell faster, compete globally

    IN Nigeria, artificial intelligence has quietly become part of how ordinary Nigerians work, learn, sell, and communicate.

    AI has helped students trying to understand complex topics, small business owners managing customers on WhatsApp, and AI tools are now woven into daily routines.

    What makes AI especially important in Nigeria is the pressure to do more with less. Many people juggle multiple jobs, side hustles, or freelance work, often without teams or large budgets. AI fills the gap by acting as a digital assistant — helping one person write faster, design better, respond to customers promptly, and organise work efficiently.

    Another factor is global competition. Nigerian freelancers, creatives, and professionals now compete in international markets where speed and quality matter. AI tools help bridge that gap, allowing users to produce work that meets global standards without expensive software or specialised training.

    However, not every AI tool is easily adaptable in the Nigerian context. The most useful ones are those that work on mobile phones, have free or affordable plans, use minimal data, and fit naturally into existing habits like WhatsApp, social media, and remote work. Here are tools to use this The tools below stand out in 2026 because they meet those realities.

    1. ChatGPT: This has become one of the widely used AI tool in Nigeria because of its flexibility. People use it to draft documents, generate business ideas, explain school subjects, write reports, create social media captions, and even prepare interview answers. For journalists and researchers, it helps structure stories and clarify complex issues, while for small business owners, it acts as a writing and planning assistant available at any hour.

    2. ICIR Native AI: Developed by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting and unveiled in September at a webinar, the product is designed to help journalists and content creators transcribe audiovisual files, translate them into Nigeria’s major languages, and make media content more inclusive for diverse and hearing-impaired audiences. It has speech-to-Text Transcription, which enables the conversion of English audio into accurate text in real time, optimised for Nigerian accents and newsroom clarity and instant translation features, which enable translating transcribed speech into Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba—maintaining meaning and accent-sensitive expressions among other features.

    3. Leonardo AI: It’s an image and video generation tool that many creators rely on because it offers offers a free tier with daily tokens. This makes it especially attractive in Nigeria, where recurring subscriptions can be a barrier. With Leonardo AI, users can consistently generate high-quality visuals for blogs, social media, marketing materials, and personal projects without worrying about monthly payments.

    4. Lexia AI : This is an AI-powered platform that simplifies e-commerce website creation for Nigerian entrepreneurs. The platform uses AI to generate product descriptions and images, and provides a user-friendly builder to create your online store.

    5. Microsoft Designer: This is a free AI-powered design tool that helps users quickly create polished visuals without needing design experience. Built on DALL-E 3 technology, it turns simple text descriptions into complete graphic designs, making it a strong option for fast, AI-driven content creation, especially for social media and marketing.

    In practice, Microsoft Designer is useful for Nigerians who need ready-to-use designs in minutes. Users can describe exactly what they want, such as an Instagram story announcing a flash sale or a promotional post for an online store, and the tool automatically generates multiple design concepts combining images, text, and layout.

    These designs can then be easily adjusted to match brand colours, messaging, and style, making them suitable for small businesses, vendors, and content creators who want speed without sacrificing quality.

    Microsoft Designer is accessible for free with a Microsoft account, which makes it easy for many users to adopt. While the platform provides a limited number of “boosts” for faster image generation and keeps core features free, some advanced options are tied to a Microsoft 365 subscription.

    6. Canva AI : This has transformed how Nigerians approach design. Instead of hiring a graphic designer for every flyer or social media post, users rely on Canva’s AI features to generate clean, professional visuals in minutes.

    It is widely used by small businesses, churches, NGOs, schools, and content creators who need consistent branding but have limited budgets.

    7. Awa Doc: This is an AI-powered health assistant that provides instant medical guidance, helping users understand symptoms, get triage recommendations, and connect with care, all from their WhatsApp. It’s fast, private, and available 24/7.

    The tool integrates medical and technical expertise by using an AI-powered healthcare assistant designed to break these barriers, delivering instant medical guidance through a simple chat. They use advanced AI to provide response, personalised health advice, and critical medical insights all within seconds, directly on WhatsApp.

    8. WhatsApp AI chatbots: This includes tools integrated into WhatsApp Business, which are increasingly common among Nigerian vendors and service providers. These bots automatically respond to customer messages, handle frequently asked questions, confirm orders, and collect basic information. For businesses that receive messages at all hours, this reduces stress and ensures customers are not ignored.

    9. Google Gemini: This is particularly useful when Nigerians need current and verifiable information. Unlike traditional search, it can be useful for accessing recent information / web data. Students use it for research, journalists for background checks, and entrepreneurs for market insights, especially when accuracy and recent updates matter.

    10. CapCut AI: This has become a favourite among Nigerian content creators because it simplifies video editing. With automatic captions, transitions, and effects, users can turn raw phone videos into polished content suitable for TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Businesses also use it to promote products without hiring video editors.

    11. Notion AI: this AI tool helps users organise their work, ideas, and projects in one place. Freelancers use it to manage clients, students use it to organise notes, and teams rely on it for planning and documentation. Its AI features help summarise notes and generate structured content from rough ideas.

    12.  Perplexity AI: This stands out for research and fact-checking because it shows sources alongside its answers. This makes it valuable for journalists, students, and analysts who need to verify claims and avoid misinformation. In an era of viral falsehoods, tools like this are becoming essential.

    In 2026, the real advantage is not knowing many AI tools, but knowing which ones fit your daily work and lifestyle. Nigerians who use AI deliberately to save time, reduce costs, and improve quality will remain competitive in business, media, education, and the global digital economy.

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