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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.

    Misleading claim about private jets in South-East circulates online

    Fatimah Quadri
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    Misleading claim about private jets in South-East circulates online

     AN X user, @VivianIfeomaOj, has posted three images showing a private jet parked at an airport claiming it’s owned by people from South-East, Nigeria. 

    The account posted the images with a caption:

    “This Christmas in the South East, 18 private jets were seen parked at Achebe Airport, Anambra State,18 at Enugu Airport, and 15 at Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.Leave December for Igbo people.”

    READ ALSO: AI-generated video of man constructing wooden aircraft circulates online

    Since the post was made on Wednesday, 31st December 2025, it has generated an impression of over 200,000 views, 3,400 likes and 689 reposts.

    The claim has also appeared here and here.

    CLAIM

    The image shows private jets during 2025 Christmas in South-East Nigeria.

    THE FINDINGS

    Findings by The FactCheckHub indicate that the claim is MISLEADING!

    Screenshot of the claim; Insert Misleading verdict
    Screenshot of the claim; Insert Misleading verdict

    When the images were run through a Google lens search, it provided search results of previous appearances of the images.

    One of such posts was a 2021 Facebook Post by APGA Interactive Forum, where a user had posted that Andy Uba, a gubernatorial aspirant for Anambra state that had contested under APC in 2021 had landed at the then Newly commissioned Anambra airport.

    The post contained the same three pictures posted by the claimants alongside other pictures posted by the user on Facebook

    “At exactly 11:12am today, the self acclaimed candidate of APC in the just concluded Anambra Governorship election, Sen. Andy Uba aboard a private jet, 5N- ALG arrived at the newly commissioned Anambra International Airport Nteje-Umueri,” the post read in part.

    Another post, also on Facebook, posted on the same date as the one seen earlier, December 30, 2021 had the same photos and also attributed it to the same event of Ubah landing at the commissioned airport.

    READ: False claim on presidential aircraft attributed to Akpabio circulates online

    THE VERDICT

    The claim that the image shows private jets during 2025 Christmas in South-East Nigeria, is misleading; the image has been online since was from 2021.

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

    Nurudeen Akewushola
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    Old footage from Côte d’Ivoire used to depict US Christmas military strike in Sokoto

    A video circulating on social media falsely claims to show footage from a United States military strike carried out in Sokoto State, targeting terrorists on Christmas Day.

    The clip, which shows a missile strike and destruction of buildings, has been widely shared alongside captions suggesting it captures a recent U.S. military operation ordered by President Donald Trump in response to attacks on Christians in northern Nigeria.

    On December 25, 2025, an X user, dom_lucre who has over 1.6 million followers, posted the video with the caption:

    “BREAKING: President Trump designated a deadly attack on ISIS in Nigeria as a Christmas gift in response to their attacks on Christians.”

    As of December 31, 2025, the post had generated over 4000 reposts and more than 30,000 likes.

    READ : Old image falsely used to depict airstrike in Kwara

    Similar versions of the video were also circulated on X accounts such as here, where many users praised the alleged action and expressed support for the U.S. president.

    CLAIM

    Video shows footage from a US military trike carried out in Sokoto on December 25, 2025.

    screenshot of the viral post purportedly showing military airstrike in Sokoto

    FINDINGS

    Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

    A review of the footage reveals that it is not recent and does not show any military operation in Nigeria. Reverse image and video searches traced the clip to earlier uploads on YouTube dating back to 2011. One version was published by Abidjan.netTV while another appeared on AFP.

    The footage was linked to political unrest in Côte d’Ivoire following the disputed 2010 presidential election between Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara.

    READ ALSO : No, viral video does NOT show U.S. military strike on terrorist targets in Sokoto

    There is no evidence that the video is connected to any US military operation in Nigeria. The visuals predate the alleged Sokoto strike by more than a decade and were taken in a different country altogether.

    VERDICT

    The claim that the video shows a US military trike in Sokoto State or any recent military action in Nigeria is MISLEADING. It was filmed during the 2011 post-election crisis in Côte d’Ivoire and has been falsely linked to current events.

    No, viral video does NOT show U.S. military strike on terrorist targets in Sokoto

    Nurudeen Akewushola
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    No, viral video does NOT show U.S. military strike on terrorist targets in Sokoto

    FOLLOWING the recent launch of a military strike by the United States on terrorists in Sokoto, a grey-coloured video showing a missile strike began circulating widely on social media.

    The video emerged after a post by the U.S. President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform announcing that he had directed the U.S. military to strike ISIS targets in Nigeria.

    The statement sparked widespread reactions online, with users sharing images and videos purportedly showing the strike.

    Amid this heightened attention, several X users shared a video showing a missile hitting targets described in the audio as “greenhouses,” presenting it as footage of the reported U.S. operation in Nigeria.

    On December 27, an X user, @Gen_Buhar, posted the video with the caption claiming that U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with Nigerian authorities, conducted airstrikes on ISIS targets in Sokoto State.

    The account posted: “Full Footage of the airstrike from the combine US military/NAF  on the iswap and bokoharam hideout in Sokoto on the 24th/12 / 2025.”

    The post has generated over 400 reposts and more than 1,000 likes as of December 29, 2025.

    CLAIM

    Video shows a U.S. missile or drone strike carried out against ISIS militants in north-west Nigeria on Christmas Day.

    screenshot of the viral post purportedly depicting airstrike in Sokoto

    THE FINDINGS

    Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

    First, The FactCheckHub discovered that the video was recycled by an Asian X account, RedlineGeoX, to illustrate the incident before various Nigerian X accounts reshared it. However, the account clarified that the video is “for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual event.”

    A reverse image search conducted on keyframes from the video traced the footage to at least April 2019. The video was found on Chomikuj.pl, a Polish file-hosting website, where it was linked to Afghanistan.

    The on-screen text that precedes the video states that coalition ground forces came under small-arms fire, heavy machine-gun fire, and rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attacks from enemy fighters positioned inside nearby buildings. In response, Apache helicopters, advanced military attack helicopters used primarily by the United States Army and some allied forces, were deployed to provide close air support.

    The helicopters first targeted one structure using a Hellfire missile, a precision-guided weapon commonly used to neutralise fortified positions. When hostile fire continued from additional buildings, the Apaches struck a second structure with another Hellfire missile.

    The note further explains that the engagement escalated as enemy fire persisted, prompting the helicopters to use multiple weapons systems, including Hellfire missiles, unguided rockets, and 30mm cannon rounds. This layered response is typical of U.S. military combat operations where aircraft suppress hostile positions to protect ground troops.

    Crucially, the video is clearly dated January 5, 2007, references Task Force Marmo, and carries a LiveLeak hosting watermark, all of which indicate it is archival combat footage from a Middle East conflict, not evidence of a recent airstrike in Nigeria.

    VERDICT

    The claim that the video shows U.S. airstrikes on ISIS targets in north-west Nigeria is MISLEADING. The footage is old, originated outside Nigeria, and has been falsely linked to recent security developments.

    Cyber threats to surge in 2026 as AI, hacktivists step up

    Fatimah Quadri
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    Cyber threats to surge in 2026 as AI, hacktivists step up

    SECURITY analysts warn that 2026 is likely to bring a significant increase in advanced cyberattacks against governments and critical infrastructure, driven by the growing use of artificial intelligence and the expansion of threat actor networks, according to IT Brief UK.

    A recent multinational advisory, Cybersecurity Dive showed that pro-Russia hacktivist groups are increasingly targeting operational technology in sectors such as energy and water, marking a shift from predominantly state-led cyber operations to a broader mix that includes criminal groups and opportunistic hacktivists.

    A hacktivist is a hacker who carries out cyberattacks for political or ideological reasons, using tactics such as malware, botnets, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks to disrupt or pressure individuals, institutions, or organisations they oppose.

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

    The lead Product Manager at NCC Group, Floris Dankaart said the widening scope of attacks shows that all major threat actor categories have bridged the IT–OT gap, warning that exposed remote access tools such as VNC offer simple but dangerous entry points capable of disabling safety systems.

    At the same time, artificial intelligence is expected to intensify cyber-enabled fraud through deepfakes and automation, with Senior Threat Researcher at Infoblox, John Wojcik forecasting a significant acceleration in such attacks, particularly targeting regions like Australia.

    In response, vendors predict a shift toward human-supervised AI, expanded threat-intelligence sharing, and greater platform consolidation.

    SentinelOne’s Gregor Stewart notes that countering threats such as deepfakes will require a fundamentally different approach to identity verification, moving beyond reliance on single-layer defences.

    Doctored image of female fans at AFCON 2025 circulates online

    Nurudeen Akewushola
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    Doctored image of female fans at AFCON 2025 circulates online

    AN image showing two identical women among football fans has surfaced online with a claim that they are female supporters at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    An X user, @AJSilverCFC posted the image with a caption which has generated over 1,000 reposts and more than 29,000 likes as of December 12, 2025.

    According to the post, the image showed fans showing their support during the match between Mali and Zambia.

    CLAIM

    Image shows female fans at AFCON 2025.

    Screenshot of the viral post. The picture on the right hand side is misleading

    FINDINGS

    Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

    The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) officially kicked off in Morocco on December 21, 2025, marking the start of the 35th edition of Africa’s premier men’s football tournament.

    This edition features 24 teams drawn into six groups, with matches scheduled across nine stadiums in six cities until the final on January 18, 2026.

    The FactCheckHub subjected the image to reverse image search and the result showed that the image is doctored.

    An earlier version of the image showed that of the image was posted by Football and News and The Touchline. The screenshot was taken from the match between Mali and Zambia which ended 1-1.

    Original image

    However, the two women have been inserted into the picture using digital technology.

    VERDICT

    The claim that the image shows female fans showing their support during the African Cup of Nations is MISLEADING. The image is doctored.

    Buhari’s death, Trump’s inauguration… how misinformation shaped events in 2025

    Nurudeen Akewushola
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    Buhari’s death, Trump’s inauguration… how misinformation shaped events in 2025

    THE year 2025 was marked by misinformation involving Nigerian public figures, international events, and high-profile incidents across politics, economics, and social issues.

    As social media continues to play a dominant role in information dissemination, statements, videos, and images shared online are increasingly scrutinised for accuracy.

    Prominent among the fact-checked issues this year were the deluge of misinformation that followed remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution of Christians. 

    His statements prompted widespread reactions, generating numerous misleading claims that attributed false statements and actions to Nigerian officials, political actors, and other personalities. Videos, photos, and posts were shared out of context or manipulated to suggest responses that never occurred.

    Domestic political developments also fuelled misinformation. President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms, clashes involving FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, disruptions on Ibom Air flights, and narratives surrounding former President Muhammadu Buhari’s health were all targets of false or misleading online stories. International events, such as the sudden death of footballer Diogo Jota, the Ivory Coast coup rumours, and Donald Trump’s inauguration, were also misrepresented for local audiences, further complicating the information landscape.

    This report highlights some of the most notable verifications conducted by The FactCheckHub in 2025. It covers cases where videos, quotes, and images were misrepresented, recycled, or fabricated, resulting in false impressions among the public. The following list is presented in no particular order and provides insights into the claims that gained traction online.

    1. Christian Genocide allegation and Donald Trump’s remarks on Nigeria

    Following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s pronouncements about Nigeria being a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution of Christians, multiple misleading posts circulated online, attributing statements and actions to Nigerian officials and political figures.

    A video shared on X by @IMC_BRGIE showed President Bola Tinubu saying, “We have no fear of whatever Trump is doing,” and was captioned: “Nigerians have no fear of whatever Trump is doing.” The clip, which gained over 1,000 views and 80 reposts, was presented as a response to Trump’s threat of possible U.S. military action.

    FactCheckHub’s analysis revealed the video predates Trump’s November 2 remarks by two months. The full version, uploaded to YouTube on September 2, 2025, was about Nigeria’s economic achievements, not U.S. foreign policy. The claim was therefore misleading.

    Similarly, a widely shared photo showing National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu meeting with service chiefs was falsely linked to Trump’s threat. The image, circulated by X user @whitenigerian, implied the meeting was convened in response to the U.S. president’s statement.

    Reverse image searches showed that the photo predates Trump’s October 31 declaration, having been posted on October 28, 2025, and previously used in news coverage. In reality, the meeting concerned routine coordination among newly appointed service chiefs, unrelated to Trump. This claim was also misleading.

    Another claim alleged that Trump had revoked 80,000 visas exclusively for Nigerians. The X post by @MasterBolaji was widely shared, but FactCheckHub found that the U.S. Department of State revoked visas for citizens of multiple countries, including Nigeria, as part of a broad enforcement initiative. This claim was therefore misleading.

    A TikTok video showing women wailing in front of a burning building circulated with the caption that it depicted a church set ablaze by Islamic extremists in northern Nigeria. Investigation revealed that the video actually showed a fire at Kwapong Nursing Training College in Ghana, not Nigeria. The claim linking the footage to Nigeria was misleading.

    Finally, a claim that former Kano State governor and NNPP presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso deleted his X post reacting to Trump’s comments was found to be false. The post remains visible on his verified X account (@KwankwasoRM) and clearly addresses Trump’s remarks, urging cooperation rather than confrontation.

    2. Wike – Yerima altercation

    A video circulating on social media suggested that President Bola Tinubu praised FCT Minister Nyesom Wike following a clash with Nigerian Navy officer Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima. The clip, shared by a Facebook page Progressive Nigerian Politics, showed Tinubu saying, “Wike is a good man and a performing minister,” and was captioned as the president backing Wike over the military.

    The FactCheckHub review revealed the video predates the November 11, 2025, incident by nearly a year. The full clip, originally published in December 2024, captured Tinubu addressing journalists in Lagos about Wike’s performance as a minister, not a response to any naval altercation. This claim was therefore misleading.

    A related claim misrepresented a quote attributed to Tinubu, saying “They put their lives on the line to defend the sovereignty of this country”, as his reaction to the Wike-Yerima clash. The statement was shared by a Facebook user, Nigeria News- Headline Today, suggesting the president sided with the military over Wike.

    The FactCheckHub found that the comment was made in the context of the Nigerian Guild of Editors conference on November 12, 2025, addressing the broader role of the military in protecting citizens and combating terrorism and banditry. The quote had no connection to the FCT land dispute, making the claim misleading.

    3. Misleading claims about President Tinubu’s new tax reforms

    Following the signing of Nigeria’s new tax reforms by President Bola Tinubu in June 2025, several misleading claims circulated online. Social media posts suggested that starting January 2026, Nigerians earning ₦800,000 and above annually would be subjected to personal income tax rates of 11 to 20 per cent, while another claim stated that Nigerians would pay ₦500 for every ₦10,000 spent on petrol under the new law.

    A post on X by Naija PR, for instance, stated that the surcharge on petrol would apply from January 2026, gaining over four million views. While a 5 per cent levy on fuel is stipulated in law, FactCheckHub clarified that this was not a new tax.

    The Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, signed on June 26, revives an existing provision, requires official commencement via the Gazette, and exempts cleaner fuels such as kerosene, LPG, and CNG. There is also no confirmed start date for the surcharge, and the rate has been in effect in a similar form since the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency Act of 2007.

    Similarly, posts claiming that President Tinubu would introduce a 20 per cent tax on anyone earning ₦800,000 or more annually misrepresented the law. In reality, the personal income tax system under the 2025 Act is progressive:

    • First ₦800,000: 0%
    • Next ₦2.2 million: 15%
    • Next ₦9 million: 18%
    • Next ₦13 million: 21%
    • Next ₦25 million: 23%
    • Above ₦50 million: 25%

    The viral claims erroneously treated ₦800,000 as a monthly income rather than the annual threshold set by the law. Individuals earning ₦800,000 or less per year remain fully exempt, while the rates progressively increase for higher earners.

    Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to the President, confirmed that the new tax framework is progressive and fair, with low-income earners paying little or nothing and higher earners paying proportionately more.

    4. Flight disruption

    In August 2025, videos circulated on X showing passengers on Ibom Air flights being confronted by security operatives, with claims linking them to the recent controversies involving Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM 1) and passenger Comfort Emmanson. One video, shared by @Oluwanyo with the caption “KWAM 1 has started a Trend!”, had over 700 reposts and 900 likes by August 13.

    Fact-checking revealed that the footage was misleading. Reverse image searches traced the video back to January 8, 2025, when a passenger refused to board an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Abuja after discovering her luggage had not been loaded. The standoff escalated until the flight was eventually cancelled, leaving 89 passengers stranded. This incident was entirely separate from both the KWAM 1 and Comfort Emmanson occurrences in August 2025.

    Another video, shared by @Oxygist, showing a passenger being confronted on a flight, was also falsely tied to recent events. In reality, the clip originated from March 31, 2023, when a man disrupted an Ibom Air flight from Abuja to Lagos by shouting political slogans about President Bola Tinubu. Security operatives removed the passenger, and Ibom Air issued a statement clarifying the incident.

    5. False claims about former President Muhammadu Buhari’s health and death

    Amid viral rumours in 2025 that former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was critically ill, multiple videos and posts circulated online, claiming he had passed away. One video showed Northern dignitaries at a funeral and was shared as evidence of Buhari’s burial. The post, widely shared on X and Facebook, claimed: “They finally unveil the death of Muhammad Buhari.”

    Fact-checking revealed that the video was misleading. Reverse image searches and verification of key frames showed that it actually depicted the funeral of Safara’u Umar Radda, mother of Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, held on March 23, 2025. Multiple news outlets confirmed the event, which was attended by local governors and dignitaries.

    Another viral claim suggested that Buhari had died in London, comparing it to the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua abroad in 2010. This claim was false. Yar’Adua had been treated in Saudi Arabia and Germany for health complications, but was brought back to Nigeria before he died in Abuja. Buhari himself was alive, and no credible reports confirmed his death in 2025.

    A further claim falsely attributed to Aisha Buhari, former First Lady, stated that her husband had died in 2017. Fact-checkers determined this was also false. The post originated from impersonation accounts, and no verified social media or official sources confirmed such a statement. The image itself showed signs of digital manipulation.

    A TikTok video showing a patient being wheeled through a hospital was circulated as Buhari’s final moments. Analysis revealed the footage was originally from March 2023, depicting a U.S. hospital farewell ceremony for Mercedes Castañeda, a brain-dead Colombian woman about to donate her organs. The visuals and music were unrelated to Buhari.

    6. Diogo Jota’s Death

    Following the sudden death of Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota in a car accident on July 3, 2025, social media was flooded with tributes and reactions. Amid the outpouring of grief, several videos went viral, generating misinformation.

    One video showed a group of Liverpool supporters marching on a street, which some users claimed depicted Nigerian fans mourning Jota. In reality, careful examination revealed that the footage was from Gulu, northern Uganda, as indicated by banners reading “NORTHERN UGANDA LIVERPOOL FANS,” and local reporting confirmed the march took place there.

    Another video falsely claimed that Rihanna had released a tribute song for Jota. Analysis by fact-checkers showed the clip was AI-generated and digitally manipulated, with no official release or verification from the singer’s channels. Audio recognition tools and platform checks confirmed the content was synthetic.

    7. A coup that never occurred

    Another major misinformation wave this year centred on viral posts claiming that the Ivory Coast had experienced a military coup. Several X users circulated videos and alarming captions alleging gunfire in Abidjan, the disappearance or death of President Alassane Ouattara, and buildings being set ablaze as part of the supposed uprising. Some of these posts garnered hundreds of thousands of views.

    The FactCheckHub investigations, supported by multiple journalists in Abidjan, confirmed that no coup took place. President Ouattara was publicly active during the period, including participating in the UNESCO Félix Houphouët-Boigny Prize ceremony and chairing a council of ministers meeting. Local reporters also noted that daily life in Abidjan remained normal, with no unusual military activity.

    One widely circulated video showing a burning building was also misrepresented. A reverse image search revealed that the footage came from a February 5, 2025, fire at the Adjamé Château shopping centre in Abidjan and had no connection to any political unrest.

    Despite a regional backdrop where several West and Central African countries have experienced coups since 2020, fact-checkers found no credible evidence of a similar event in the Ivory Coast. The claims were either false or misleading, driven by recycled footage and sensational social media narratives.

    8. Trump’s inauguration

    One of the biggest events that occurred in 2025 was the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of America. The development led to a series of misinformations regarding the event.

    The ceremony, held in the US Capitol Rotunda because of freezing weather, was attended by figures such as Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Barack Obama, political allies, and thousands of supporters. His return sparked concern among immigrant communities due to his tough immigration policies.

    The inauguration also triggered a wave of misinformation online, especially among Nigerian and African audiences.

    One viral claim falsely alleged that Nigeria’s Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was invited to Trump’s inauguration. FactCheckHub’s investigation showed that this was false, as he did not appear on any official guest list. The misleading story originated from a pro-Obi platform that only referenced an X post by Nenadi Usman, who attended on behalf of the Labour Party.

    Another false claim circulated that Burkina Faso’s military leader, Ibrahim Traoré, rejected a personal invitation from Donald Trump. Fact-checking revealed that Traoré was never invited, and his name did not appear in the official list of foreign guests.

    Media reports from outlets like the Associated Press and Al Jazeera confirmed that only a small number of foreign leaders were invited to the ceremony, including China’s Xi Jinping, Argentina’s Javier Milei, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, France’s Emmanuel Macron, and others. Historically, foreign heads of state rarely attend U.S. presidential inaugurations.

    In both cases, fact-checkers found no credible evidence supporting the viral claims, concluding that the stories were false and based on misleading social media posts.

    9. Anambra election

    On November 8, residents of the state went to the polls to elect their next administrator. Despite high expectations for a transparent electoral process, the campaign period, election day, and the aftermath were characterised by a flurry of unverified claims and viral content designed to confuse voters and undermine the electoral process.

    Reports circulated online claiming that a certain candidate had won, violent incidents occurred, that officials were caught with cash, and that voting malpractices were rampant. Many of these stories, however, were found to be false or misleading, fact-checks by the Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition (NFC) later revealed.

    Over the three days, the coalition fact-checked multiple claims but was able to conclude on a total of 28 claims. Out of these, six were verified as correct, 14 as incorrect, seven as misleading, and one as unproven.

    How emotion drives misinformation online

    Fatimah Quadri
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    How emotion drives misinformation online

    ACROSS the digital spaces, from WhatsApp closed groups to Facebook pages, false content often spreads not because it looks believable, but because it feels plausible.

    Whether it’s fear about insecurity, anger at political leaders, or religious solidarity, misinformation thrives when emotions take the driver’s seat.

    For instance, messages framed around threats, betrayal, or moral outrage are carefully designed to feel urgent and personal. Once that emotional spark is lit, misinformation spreads quickly.

    READ ALSO: How information disorder heightens tension, confuses public during crisis

    A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that people who rely on emotions are more likely to believe fake news. Across experiments involving 3,884 participants, researchers showed that heightened emotional responses increased susceptibility to false stories, while reliance on reason reduced it. The findings highlight how emotional processing makes individuals particularly vulnerable to misinformation.

    The American Psychological Association (APA) also highlighted that one of the three main reasons why misinformation spreads is ’emotions’, the others being Illusory truth and Social engineering.

    Emotional manipulation in misinformation often follows familiar patterns. Some of the most common as observed by FactCheckHub include:

    Fear and panic: Claims about insecurity, health crises, or impending attacks often appeal to survival instincts. For example, during disease outbreaks, false cures and warnings spread faster than official health updates.

    Religious solidarity: Nigeria’s deeply religious society makes it easy for misinformation to exploit faith. Posts claiming persecution of a religious group often go viral because they appeal to empathy and shared identity.

    Anger and outrage: Emotionally charged posts targeting political leaders or ethnic groups frequently go viral on X and Facebook. Anger motivates engagement even when the information is false.

    Hope and curiosity: Fake miracle discoveries, job opportunities, or financial giveaways also use emotional triggers, preying on people’s optimism and need for relief.

    Trigger phrases to watch out for

    Many false posts use repetitive language to heighten urgency or secrecy. Phrases such as: “Forward quickly before it’s deleted!” “They don’t want you to know this truth.” “Only the wise will understand.” “Share with 10 people and save a life.”

    These expressions aren’t just dramatic, they are strategic. They appeal to fear of missing out (FOMO) and the desire to belong to an informed group.

    How to resist emotional manipulation

    Recognising emotional manipulation is the first step to resisting it. Here’s how to stay grounded:

    Pause before reacting: When a post makes you feel angry, scared, or shocked, take a moment to pause. That emotional rush is often intentional. Misinformation and manipulative content are designed to trigger strong reactions so you share without thinking. Taking a moment to breathe, re-read, and assess the claim helps you avoid being pulled into false or exaggerated narratives.

    Cross-check the claim: Before sharing, run a quick verification. Search reputable fact-checking platforms like The FactCheckHub to see if the claim has already been investigated. If nothing comes up, try different keywords or reverse-image search any attached photos. Always confirm that the fact-check matches the exact claim and check the date, evidence, and sources used. If you still can’t verify it, treat the claim as unconfirmed and avoid amplifying it.

    Search key phrases online: Copy a unique part of the message, a name, a location, a quote, or a statistic, and search it on Google or X. This helps you see if the claim has appeared before. Many false stories recycle old rumours, old photos, or previously debunked narratives. If your search brings up earlier fact-checks, news reports, or warnings from credible sources, that’s a strong sign the message may be misleading. Even if you don’t get an exact match, scanning related results can help you understand the context and spot red flags.

    Verify visuals: Misinformation often relies on old or unrelated photos and videos to create a false impression. Before believing or sharing any visual, use tools like Google Lens, TinEye, or InVID to trace where the image or video first appeared. These tools can show you older versions, different captions, or previous incidents the content was taken from. If the visual predates the claim, comes from another country, or appears with conflicting information, that’s a strong sign the post is misleading.

    READ ALSO: How disinformation actors propagate divisive narratives on X

    Ask critical questions: Before engaging, pause and interrogate the post. Who benefits from this message being shared? Is there a clear, credible source or official confirmation? Why is it trying to provoke an immediate reaction? And remember, don’t reshare unverified posts “just to ask.” Every share, even well-intentioned, helps misinformation spread.

    Every repost increases the reach and credibility of misinformation, even when shared with doubts or disclaimers. Instead of amplifying it, verify first, consult fact-checkers, or privately ask someone knowledgeable. Reducing the spread is one of the most effective ways to slow down misinformation.

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