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Please note that the FactCheckHub has not obtained any right from the authors or copyright owners of all third-party contents from embedded links and shall incur no liability in this regard.
Please note that the FactCheckHub has not obtained any right from the authors or copyright owners of all third-party contents from embedded links and shall incur no liability in this regard.
Please note that the FactCheckHub has not obtained any right from the authors or copyright owners of all third-party contents from embedded links and shall incur no liability in this regard.
AN image showing piles of yams engulfed in flames has been circulated on X alongside a claim that it depicts a yam market allegedly set ablaze by terrorists in Plateau State recently.
An X account, Citizen Observer (@Citizensobs), posted the image with a caption thus:
“Fulani terrorists set fire to the yam market located in the Plateau state, Nigeria. Bashir Ahmad @BashirAhmaad and @Waspapping, why is this photo not trending? Have you all seen how the so-called Arewa influencers turn a blind eye whenever the crimes of the Fulani are mentioned?”
The post has generated over 600,000 views, with more than 5,000 reposts, over 6,000 likes and more than 1,000 comments as of April 9, 2025.
CLAIM
Image shows a yam market set ablaze in Plateau State.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.
The FactCheckHub understands that the claim went viral due to the recent attack on Hurti community in Plateau State, which led to the killing of over 40 people, destruction of 383 houses and displacement of over 1,000 people.
Apart from attacking Hurti, the gunmen, suspected to be armed herders, also attacked other communities like Josho and Daffo in the Manguna District of Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau.
Plateau State has a history of conflicts, often between nomadic herders and indigenous farming communities, primarily over land and resource disputes.
Our fact-checker subjected the keyframes in the image to a Google Reverse Image search, and the results show that the image depicts a fire accident that rocked the popular Namu Central Yam Market of Qu’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State in 2021.
The fire had a devastating impact on the local community, with over 100 farmers and traders affected.
Daily Trust reported that the fire may have been caused by a spark from a grinding engine within the market, with dry grasses used to preserve yam heaps contributing to the rapid spread.
“The dry grasses used to preserve yam heaps at the market made it easy for the fire to rage quickly and spread widely. In effect, hundreds of farmers and traders were affected by the fire outbreak and are presently counting their losses,” part of the report reads.
There were no indications of terrorist involvement in this incident.
THE VERDICT
The claim that the image shows a yam market in Plateau State set ablaze recently by terrorists is MISLEADING; the image depicts a fire accident that happened in the state in 2021 and not recent.
A video showing Abbas Tafida, the Emir of Muri kingdom in Taraba State, issuing a directive to herders to leave the state has resurfaced online.
According to the video, Tafida issued a 30-day ultimatum to herders terrorizing residents of the state to vacate forests within the state or be forced to do so.
An X user, Dr Crocs (@MgajiInnocent), posted the video with a caption that read:
“We give Bororo Fulani 30 days to leave Taraba State, or we will hunt them one by one and neutralize them, they come to kidnap us one after the other, enough is enough” ~Emir Abbas Tafida (Emir of Muri Taraba State). Dear @BashirAhmaad the Fulanis are not profiled.”
The post has generated over 200,000 views, with more than 1,500 reposts and more than 2,500 likes as of April 8, 2025.
Another X user, Aina Dipo (@dipoaina1) posted the video with another caption thus:
“Emir Abbas Tafida of Muri Taraba State: Has given the Bororo Fulani 30 days to leave Taraba State, or they will hunt them one by one and neutralize them, he further said Islam does not per this herders to be doing this heinous crime against humanity. If this isn’t fixed with time it will turn into something else. The respective security agency should take action and secure the lives and properties of the people.”
The post, now deleted, has generated 90 reposts and more than 100 likes as of April 8, 2025.
The video has also been shared by multiple users on social media as seen here and here.
CLAIM
Video shows Emir of Muri in Taraba State asking herders to leave the state recently.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING, as the video is not recent and has been online since 2021.
Our fact-checker observed that the claim gained traction online following a recent attack on the Hurti community in Plateau State, which resulted in the killing of over 40 people, the destruction of 383 houses, and the displacement of more than 1,000 residents, Punchreported.
screenshot of the viral post
In addition to Hurti, the assailants, suspected to be armed herders, also targeted other communities, including Josho and Daffo, located in the Manguna District of Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA), the report added.
Plateau State has long grappled with recurring violence, often stemming from tensions between nomadic herders and indigenous farming communities over land ownership and access to natural resources.
Like Plateau, Taraba State, located in the Northeastern region of Nigeria, is faced with heinous crimes ranging from kidnapping to bandit attacks.
Our fact-checker subjected keyframes in the video to a Google Reverse Image Search and the results show that the video has been online since 2021. An earlier version of the video can be seen here and here as published by credible media platforms.
After the Eid prayers held in July 2021, the emir issued a 30-day ultimatum to herders terrorizing residents of the state to vacate forests within the state or be forced to do so.
This followed a rising spate of kidnappings, killings, and attacks in the state by criminals suspected to be herders.
Tafida claimed that Fulani herders were responsible for perpetrating crimes in the state and should therefore vacate forests in the state within 30 days or be forced out.
The Emir who spoke in Hausa language urged the leadership of Fulani Herdsmen to fish out the bad eggs among them.
“Our Fulani herdsmen in the forests, you came into this state and we accepted you, why then will you be coming to towns and villages to kidnap residents, even up to the extent of raping our women?
“Because of this unending menace, every Fulani herdsman in this state has been given thirty days ultimatum to vacate the forests.
“We are tired of having sleepless nights, and the hunger alone in the land is enormous, and we will not allow it to continue,” the Emir said in 2021.
THE VERDICT
The claim that the video shows Emir of Muri in Taraba State asking herders to leave the state recently is MISLEADING, as the video has been online since 2021.
THE Labour Party presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 election, Peter Obi, appeared on Arise Television‘s Prime Time on April 1, 2025, where he spoke about how the nation is faring under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.
Obi spoke on various issues ranging from insecurity, unemployment and poverty as well as the political crisis in Rivers state, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency by the president.
In this fact-check, TheFactCheckHubassesses the veracity of some of his claims.
CLAIM 1
There are over 20 million children out of school in Nigeria.
THE FINDINGS
The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 2020 Model Estimates on out-of-school children, published in 2022, states that almost 20 million Nigerian children are out of school.
According to the data, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan have the highest figures for out-of-school children globally.
The data show that the secondary school out-of-school population has grown by 61 per cent, from 6.3 million to 10 million since 2010.
Also, the number of primary school-aged children who are not in school also increased by 50 per cent, from 6.4 million to 9.7 million since 2010.
Globally, this puts Nigeria as the country with the third highest number of children deprived of education, only behind India and Pakistan.
THE VERDICT
The claim that over 20 million children are out of school in Nigeria is MOSTLY TRUE; the 2022 UNESCO data puts the estimate at 20 million.
CLAIM 2
South Africa is the largest economy in Africa.
THE FINDINGS
Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is TRUE.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is an indicator of any nation’s economic size. It measures the value of goods and services produced in a country over a certain period.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), a global financial institution with 191 member countries, tracks and publishes economic data including GDP.
Nigeria was Africa’s biggest economic powerhouse between 2012 and 2016, based on IMF data. It dropped to second place in 2017 but returned to pole position the following year and maintained this spot until 2022. Egypt overtook Nigeria in 2023 to become Africa’s largest economy.
Infographics showing the top countries with highest GDP in Africa. Source : IMF
According to the IMF’s 2024 GDP estimates, South Africa is the biggest economy in Africa with a GDP Of $403.05 billion followed by Eypt and Algeria with GDP of $380.04 billion and $260.13 billion respectively. Nigeria’s economy is placed fourth with a GDP of $199.72 billion.
THE VERDICT
The claim that South Africa is the largest economy in Africa is TRUE; latest estimates by the IMF show.
CLAIM 3
A federal lawmaker can lose his seat in South Africa and UK for defecting to another political party.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is HALF-TRUE.
In South Africa, originally, Members of Parliament (MPs) who switched political parties would lose their seats. However, the. nation’s 1996 Constitution allowed for adjustments to this rule, leading to a bill in November 2001 that permitted floor-crossing within a designated two-week period without penalty. The President of South Africa, in consultation with party leaders and provincial premiers, had the authority to set the time frame for this process.
A subsequent law further refined the system, allowing MPs to change parties twice within a five-year term without losing their seats. However, defections were only permitted if at least ten percent of a party’s representatives agreed to switch, a measure introduced to prevent political opportunism. MPs wishing to cross the floor had to notifythe country’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), which is responsible for determining the specific timeframe during which the defection could occur.
However, in the United Kingdom, Members of the Parliament (MP) do not face any sanction when they cross the floor to another party but they may face pressure from other MPs and the public. They are also allowed to change their party affiliations at any time.
THE VERDICT
The claim that a federal lawmaker can lose his seat in South Africa and UK for defecting to another political party is HALF-TRUE, while there are laws and sanctions guiding floor crossing in South Africa, there is none in the United Kingdom.
CLAIM 4
The cost of Nigeria’s debt servicing is higher than its budget for education and health sectors.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is TRUE!
Nigeria’s 2025 budget highlights a significant allocation to debt servicing, which overshadows critical sectors such as education, healthcare and infrastructure. The government has earmarked ₦15.81 trillion for debt servicing—more than double the combined budget for education (₦3.5 trillion) and health (₦2.48 trillion), which together total ₦5.98 trillion.
This debt repayment figure also surpasses the cumulative allocation for key sectors, including security (₦4.9 trillion), infrastructure (₦4.06 trillion), education, and healthcare, which together amount to ₦14.95 trillion.
For context, in Nigeria’s 2023 national budget, debt servicing accounted for 29% of total spending, while education received 8%, healthcare 5%, and infrastructure 6%.
In 2024, the government planned to spend ₦27.5 trillion ($34.7 billion), with 30% allocated to debt servicing. Meanwhile, education will receive 7.9%, healthcare 5%, and infrastructure a similar proportion.
These figures highlight the country’s growing debt burden, which continues to limit investments in critical sectors essential for national development.
THE VERDICT
The claim that the cost of Nigeria’s debt servicing is higher than its budget for both education and health sectors is TRUE, as the nation’s budgets from recent years show.
CLAIM 5
Nigeria has less than 5% health insurance to comparable countries like Indonesia with 95%.
THE FINDINGS
Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE!
A report from Nairametrics highlights that by October 2024, Nigeria had enrolled 19.18 million people in its health insurance programmes, representing about 8.9% of the population. According to the Director General, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, this feat was at the end of Q3 in 2024.
In December 2024, the number grew to 19.2 million people; this was also disclosed by Dr. Ohiri in a report from the Punch.
Meanwhile, an article from The Jakarta Globe reports that as of August 2024, JKN coverage reached 98.19% of Indonesia’s population. JKN is the National Health Insurance Scheme of Indonesia.
However, the above data show that Nigeria’s health insurance enrollment is higher than the 5 per cent as claimed by Obi while the health insurance enrollment in Indonesia is currently put at 98.19 per cent.
THE VERDICT
The claim that Nigeria has less than 5% health insurance to comparable countries like Indonesia with 95% is FALSE. Data show that Nigeria’s health insurance sits at 8.9% while the enrollment rate in Indonesia is at 98.19%.
CLAIM 6
Nigeria has spent over N35 billion on its International Conference Centre (ICC).
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub reveal that the claim is TRUE.
Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during the ECOWAS Parliament inauguration on April 4, 2024, condemned the dilapidated state of the Abuja International Conference Centre, describing it as an ‘eyesore,’ and subsequently ordered its rehabilitation.
Following this directive, FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, suspended all activities at the facility on April 8, 2024, to allow the contractor to begin the renovation work. Wike emphasized that the restoration was critical to bringing the centre back to international standards, as its previous condition had significantly tarnished its reputation.
According to Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has invested approximately N39 billion in the renovation of the Abuja International Conference Centre. As of March 2025, the project is 70% to 80% complete, with an expected completion date in May 2025.
THE VERDICT
The claim that Nigeria has spent over 35 billion on Nigeria Conference Center is TRUE, media reports show that 39 billion has been rolled out for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s International Conference center.
CLAIM 7
Bangladesh with 148,000 square kilometers of land is producing about 60 million tons metric of rice and Nigeria with over six times of its size of land cannot do 10% of that.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is HALF-TRUE.
Bangladesh, with a total landmass of 147,570 square kilometers (56,977 Sq. miles), is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, and its agricultural land (130,170 sq km) is heavily utilized. Whereas Nigeria has more than six times the land area of Bangladesh, making it one of the largest countries in Africa with a total landmass of 923,768 square kilometers (356,667 sq miles).
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that Bangladesh’s rice production for the 2024/2025 marketing year is approximately 36.8 million metric tons (milled basis), and 54.9 million in (rough basis) slightly down from the previous year.
The harvested area is expected to be 11.5 million hectares, which is a 2% decrease compared to last year. This reduction in area is attributed to challenges during both the aus and aman seasons. Despite this, Bangladesh’s yield is forecasted to reach a record4.80 tons per hectare, which is a 2% increase from the previous year.
According to the data from USDA, Bangladesh has never produced 60 million tons of rice in milled and even rough production since 2014.
However, Nigeria in 2023/2024 produced 5.6 million metric tons in milled and 8.9 million in rough basis, according to the USDA data. But in January 2025, Punchreported that Nigeria’s rice production (rough basis) has dropped to 8.3 million, while the milled rice is pegged at 5.2 million.
In conclusion, Bangladesh highest rice production (rough basis) since 2014 was 55.5 million metric tons in 2023/2024 season while Nigeria’s highest rice production (rough basis) since 2014 was during the same 2023/2024 season and puts at 8.9 million tons. Thus, despite Nigeria’s landmass is truly over six times bigger than that of Bangladesh, its rice production is more than 10 per cent of that of Bangladesh – in fact, it is around 15-16%.
THE VERDICT
The claim that Bangladesh, with 148,000 square kilometers of land, produces about 60 million metric tons of rice while Nigeria, with over six times its land area, cannot produce 10% of its rice production is HALF-TRUE; Nigeria actually produces between 15-16% of that of Bangladesh.
NIGERIA’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed online rumours that the nation is among 14 countries banned from entering Saudi Arabia starting April 13, 2025, insisting that the only official travel guidelines currently in effect relate to the Hajj pilgrimage.
The ministry said that the only official restriction applies to holders of tourist visas during the Hajj season, noting that from April 29 to June 11, 2025, individuals with tourist visas will not be allowed to enter Makkah or perform Hajj.
In a statement issued on April 7, 2025 by the media aide to Nigeria’s minister of Foreign Affairs, Alkasim Abdulkadir, the ministry explained that the claims being peddled in some quarters are false, adding that Saudi authorities have also confirmed that no such entry ban is in place.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to categorically refute the false claims circulating online, alleging that Nigeria has been included in a list of countries facing an entry ban into Saudi Arabia from April 13, 2025”, the statement reads.
The ICIR reports that a Facebook post surfaced online over the weekend, alleging that Saudi Arabia has imposed a visa ban on Nigeria, 13 others ahead of the Hajj.
Saudi Arabia has announced a significant change to its visa policy, restricting nationals from 14 countries, including Nigeria, from applying for new short-term visas. The restriction, which takes effect on 13 April 2025, impacts multiple visa categories, including business visas (both single and multi-entry), tourist e-visas, and family visit visas.
According to the official notice, Nigerian nationals currently holding valid Saudi visas may continue travelling to the Kingdom until 13 April 2025, but must exit no later than 29 April. After this deadline, affected individuals face potential penalties, including a possible 5-year ban from entering the country” the post said.
The social media post referenced a Gulf News report, claiming that Saudi authorities introduced the entry ban as part of efforts to manage travel ahead of the 2025 Hajj season, emphasising that other countries affected include Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, India, Tunisia, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
However, in its latest statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the Saudi Tourism Centre stated that the viral memo, which suggested that several countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, India, and Pakistan, would face visa restrictions, was untrue.
“The Saudi Arabian authorities have officially denied the validity of this viral memo, which falsely claims that several countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, India, Pakistan, and others, would be subject to visa restrictions and an entry ban.
“The Saudi Tourism Centre has confirmed that no such directive exists and that the only official travel guidelines currently in place pertain to the Hajj pilgrimage,” the statement read.
“For clarity, the only restriction applies to tourist visa holders during the Hajj season. Individuals holding a tourist visa are not permitted to perform Hajj, enter, or stay in Makkah between April 29 and June 11, 2025 (corresponding to 01 Thul Quda to 14 Thul Hijjah 1446 AH),” the statement clarified.
The ministry urged Nigerians to ignore the misleading document and stressed the importance of confirming travel information through official and authorised channels.
The ministry encouraged travelers to consult the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Saudi government sources for accurate, up-to-date information and reiterated the importance of verifying travel details from official sources before taking any action.
“The ministry urges the public to disregard the misleading document and to always verify travel information from official sources before taking action. Spreading unverified information can cause unnecessary confusion and disrupt travel plans,” the statement read.
The ICIR reports that Hajj is the sacred pilgrimage performed by Muslims at the holy mosque of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Hajj is a spiritual duty in Islam and one of its five pillars, making it obligatory for every Muslim to undertake at least once in their lifetime, provided they are financially, physically, and emotionally able to do so.
Hajj follows the Islamic lunar calendar and takes place during the month of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month. It begins on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah and lasts until the 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
This year, Hajj is expected to occur between June 4 and June 9, 2025, on the Gregorian calendar, depending on the sighting of the moon.
EDITOR’S NOTE
This article was republished from The ICIR website. You may read the original report here.
A claim that Ondo state residents and indigenes are now leaving their homes en masse has surfaced on the internet.
The claim, shared alongside a 48-second video, was posted by an X user @voiceofigbos.
Our fact-checker observed in the video that the cameraman was likely in motion, on a motorbike, and spoke in Yoruba language – one of the major Nigerian languages. The footage shows people armed with their luggage in droves and trekking on a long tarred road.
A voice could be heard in the video background saying in Yoruba: “…kilode? Ilobu ti tan o, kilode e saanu wa ni Ilobu, Ilobu ti tan, Kilode (sic). When translated into English language using Google Translation tool, it means: “Why! Ilobu is finished! why, have mercy on us in Ilobu, Ilobu is finished; why?.”
But the X post by the claimant read:
So Ondo is now Occupied by terrorists, people are leaving their homes and Yoruba conservatives are quiet People that can’t secure and manage their small villages how on earth do you expect them to handle Nigeria Affairs.
The X post has garnered over 38,000 views with more than 500 reposts and over 900 likes as of April 6, 2025.
CLAIM
Video shows Ondo residents fleeing their homes in droves.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING!
Screenshot of the claim as retrieved from X. INSERT: MISLEADING verdict.
When our fact-checker input the keywords “Ondo Residents Flee homes” into the Google search engine, the results show media reports from communal crisis in Ondo State which occurred some months back as seen here and here.
A reverse image search conducted on screenshots from the video led us to previous appearances of the video on Facebook as seen here and here. Both videos were posted on March 21, 2025.
The captions accompanying the video read:
Evidence of Evil in #Osun State as Communal Clashes Escalate
Some residents on the run following escalation in the communal clash between Ilobu and Ifon in Osun State.
Security agents have confirmed the killing of at least two persons and destruction of property including a health centre.
The crisis between both towns , ostensibly over border demarcation flared up again in the night of Thursday March 20,2021with attacks and reprisal attacks from both sides including the use of guns and other dangerous weapons
Another caption written in Yoruba language read thus: ILU ILOBU TI DI ARORO GBOGBO ILU TI SALO. When translated into English language, it means: “Ilobu town is now empty, everyone has fled.”
Our fact-checker observed from the claimant’s audio-visual that the event took place in Ilobu, which is a town in Osun State, Nigeria that borders Ifon and Oshogbo towns.
On March 23, 2025, Punch newspaper reported that the clash over town boundary between Ilobu and Ifon communities in Osun State had escalated to the neighbouring community of Erin-Osun, leading to the displacement of more residents from the affected towns.
In response to the violence triggered by the boundary disputes, Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, had imposed a 24-hour curfew on the communities involved.
The spokesperson of the state governor, Olawale Rasheed, also noted in the report that old videos of communal conflicts from various parts of Osun State were being recirculated by opposition elements in an attempt to create a false impression of widespread insecurity in the state.
THE VERDICT
The claim that the video shows Ondo residents fleeing their homes in droves is MISLEADING; the video is from a communal crisis that rocked Ilobu town in Osun State, as residents were consequently displaced.
A new report by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) has revealed that fact-checking organisations across the world are operating under increasing pressure, persistent harassment, cyber threats, and financial uncertainty.
The report titled: “The State of the Fact-Checkers 2024”, was released in March 2025 and draws on data from 141 fact-checking organisations across 67 countries globally.
According to the report, 78 per cent of organisations surveyed have experienced harassment due to their fact-checking work, including trolling and coordinated campaigns to discredit their credibility.
Financial sustainability emerged as another major concern. The report found that 71 per cent of fact-checking organisations operate with annual budgets below $500,000, with many expressing concern about their long-term financial viability. Many rely on short-term grants, mostly from international sources, with limited local or institutional support.
“In 2024, the Meta fact-checking programme (45.5%) and grants (45.3%) were the two largest revenue sources for fact-checking organizations. Other significant sources included the TikTok fact-checking programme (11.9%), user donations (8.9%), and advertising (8.8%). An additional 23.5% of revenue fell under ‘Other,’ reflecting a range of funding models.”
However, Meta has ended its U.S. fact-checking programme and is expected to phase
it out globally by 2026. Grants, another major funding source, are also projected to decline as government and philanthropic funding priorities shift.
According to the report, fact-checkers, through the Financial Sustainability Working Group, are exploring ways to adjust to these changes.
“Nearly half (48.9%) of organizations saw revenue increase from 2023, but financial uncertainty persisted throughout 2024. More than a third (35.5%) reported stable revenue, while 15.6% saw declines. These figures reflect a period before major funding disruptions in early 2025.
“A majority (55.3%) received IFCN financial support in 2024 through grant programmes such as the Global Fact Check Fund, Spread the Facts, the Legal Defense Fund, and travel assistance for GlobalFact 11 in Sarajevo. However, 44.7% did not receive direct IFCN funding.”
The report notes that the financial fragility leaves organisations vulnerable to external shocks and threatens their ability to plan or expand long-term efforts.
Despite these challenges, fact-checkers are increasingly turning to AI tools, with 30 per cent of respondents stating that they use artificial intelligence in their workflows. These tools are mostly used for monitoring trends, claim detection, and translation. However, several organisations expressed caution about relying on third-party tools due to concerns about potential bias, costs, and accessibility.
Fact-checkers continue to navigate AI’s evolving role. Some have integrated it into their workflows, while others remain cautious, weighing its benefits against ethical and operational concerns.
“Most fact-checkers (53.6%) use AI for preliminary research. Others apply it to tasks like content creation (15%), drafting reports (14.3%) and audience engagement (8.6%). About one in five (21.4%) use AI in other ways, while 20% don’t use AI at all.”
The report also highlights a strategic shift in content formats. With misinformation thriving on visual and short-form content, fact-checkers are prioritising videos for platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. These formats are proving to be more effective in reaching younger audiences and countering viral misinformation in real time.
“For the first time, fact-checkers were asked which formats were most effective in reaching new audiences based on engagement metrics. Short videos dominated, with 74.3% of respondents citing them as the most successful.
“Infographics and visual explainers followed at 39.3%, while brief fact-checks ranked third at 35%. Other formats also saw notable engagement, including social media threads (28.6%), multimedia explainer videos (23.6%), and long-form written reports (24.3%).
Podcasts (16.4%) and email newsletters (20.7%) ranked lower, while interactive content and live Q&As were the least used.”
According to the report, nearly 53% of fact-checking organisations publish in multiple languages, either regularly (29.8%) or occasionally (22.7%), while 47.5% publish exclusively in one language.
In response to the increasing complexity of false information, many organisations are also leaning into collaboration. The report notes that 79% per cent of fact-checkers work with other organisations, including co-publishing articles, sharing databases, or jointly covering major global events such as elections.
AS misinformation and disinformation continue to shape public discourse, experts on Friday gathered to discuss the role of community notes in combating false information.
Hosted by The FactCheckHub as part of activities marking this year’s International Fact-Checking Day, the discussion explored the evolving landscape of misinformation, particularly how user-generated annotations on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) influence public perception of truth.
The X space titled: Fact-Checking in the age of Community Notes, took place on April 4, 2025. It was moderated by the Editor of The FactCheckHub, Opeyemi Kehinde and featured contributions from media and fact-checking professionals who shared insights on the impacts and limitations of community-driven interventions in verifying information online.
The discussion primarily focused on the role of Community Notes and how they compare to professional fact-checking. The conversation drew diverse perspectives from media professionals, fact-checkers, and netizens actively navigating the ever-complex online information space.
Ahmad Aluko, an information disorder analyst, speaking at the event said that confirmation bias is an inevitable part of how people process information, particularly within Nigeria’s socio-political context.
He pointed out that community notes, though useful, tend to reinforce personal biases, as users are more likely to engage with notes that reflect their existing beliefs. Unlike traditional fact-checking, which involves thorough verification processes, he said community notes often serve as shortcuts that may prioritize validation over truth.
“Confirmation bias is very difficult to stem because at every point in time, everyone has a bias; it could be political, religious, socio-cultural. So in this age, what most people now do is that they will be looking for community notes that actually align with their bias as against what used to be the general norm.
“Whereas an independent body will do a fact-check and they will publish it with a web link. So even if you have your preconceived bias, by the time you look at the verification process, you can see that the verification will supersede whatever bias the author has,” he noted.
For Chinwe Blessing, a broadcast journalist, she emphasized that the responsibility of verifying information ultimately lies with the users. She noted that while community notes are not perfect, they serve as a useful tool to prompt skepticism and encourage users to question what they see online.
“I’m always of the opinion that the onus of checking your information is on the end user. The reason why I upload community notes is because it’s better than nothing. There are certain things you see online and you question it. It could be, someone taking a clip out of a movie and saying that it happened in real life and the community notes would say, oh no, it’s not right,” she said.
She explained that community notes should be understood for what they are — user-generated inputs rather than professional verdicts.
“People should be able to know that community notes are basically just notes, they are comments made by people like you, not necessarily by professionals,” Blessing stated.
Flyer for the X space.
Also speaking, Caleb Ijioma, the Executive Director of RoundCheck offered a more critical perspective pointing out that unlike professional fact-checking which delivers definitive verdicts such as false or misleading, community notes often use vague ratings like ‘very helpful’ or ‘less helpful.’
“When you hear this is false, especially from a fact-checking organization or probably from somebody who’s a fact-checker, you’ll understand and see that this person has actually done their research.
“But now, let’s compare that to the ratings from community notes like very helpful, less helpful. I know how to use community notes, and I think in my own opinion, I really do not like community notes because I’ve always seen that it has a lot of issues and challenges,” Ijioma stated.
Additionally, he questioned the expertise of contributors to community notes, emphasizing that since anyone can participate, there is no assurance that those creating the notes fully understand how to assess information integrity.
“Anybody can join the community notes and apply or give opinions based on what you think or if it actually matches your political view and all of that. But at the end of the day, if there is no consensus, these community notes will not be made public. There needs to be some form of agreement before it can actually made it to the public,” Ijioma added.
In her remarks, Simbiat Bakare, the copy editor at Dubawa highlighted the possibility of community notes replacing institutional fact-checking but noted that they can work hand-in-hand.
“Tech giants really need to look at the fact that you can’t replace one with the other. It’s okay to empower more voices and it’s okay to empower more communities to share their views, but it cannot be compared with how fact-checking, especially in Africa, has evolved. So you have organizations who, after they do this fact-check, they go the extra mile to promote it on social media, to translate them into different languages,” she pointed out.
She emphasized the importance of transparency, accessibility, and audience engagement—areas where fact-checkers have already made significant progress.
“Community notes will still have to evolve. You still have to look at the issue of transparency, accessibility and that is already what fact-checking has been able to establish.
“So as fact-checkers, we need to just continue to do what we are doing, show our professionalism as we’ve always done, find more engaging ways for our fact-checks to go out. And by the time they test the impacts of community notes, they will still come back to fact-checkers,” Bakare summarised.
FAKE social media pages pose a serious threat to all users as some impersonate individuals, businesses, and organizations to spread scams, misinformation, and identity theft.
These fraudulent accounts manipulate users into trusting false information, stealing personal data, or engaging with deceptive schemes.
Without verification, individuals risk falling for phishing attacks, financial fraud, or believing false information that can influence decisions from health choices to voting. Fake accounts often impersonate trusted figures, making it easy to manipulate unsuspecting users.
Learning to verify social media pages protects personal data, prevents financial losses, and ensures access to accurate information. It also helps stop the spread of harmful content, safeguarding both individuals and online communities. By staying informed, users can confidently engage with authentic sources on social media and avoid digital traps.
Want to know how to verify the authenticity of social media profiles and pages, you will find the steps below useful:
1. Check the username/handle
Fake profiles and pages often mimic real ones by making slight modifications to usernames, such as adding underscores, extra numbers, or special characters (e.g., “@JohnDoe_Official” instead of “@JohnDoeOfficial” or “@CNNNews1” instead of “@CNN”).
These small changes can be misleading, making it easy for users to mistake a fake account for the real one. Always check for spelling errors and inconsistencies, and compare the account with the official website of the person or organization to confirm if they have link to the page.
2. Look for verification badges
Different social media platforms use verification badges to indicate authentic accounts of public figures, businesses, and government organizations.
However, it’s important to note that verification policies vary across platforms, and on some, verification can be purchased, making it less reliable as a sole indicator of authenticity.
Below are the verification types for major social media platforms:
Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp(Meta)
Blue Tick: Granted to public figures, celebrities, journalists, and brands to confirm authenticity.
Gray Tick: This was previously used for businesses but is no longer in use, as Meta now applies the blue tick to both individuals and businesses.
Meta Verified: Which is subscription-based is available to individuals and businesses who apply for verification by submitting an official ID.
X (formerly Twitter)
Blue Tick: Previously used for notable figures but is now available via paid subscriptions (X Premium) to all users. Some accounts still have legacy verification.
Gold Tick: Given to verified businesses.
Gray Tick: Reserved for verified government institutions, officials, and multilateral organisations.
TikTok
Blue Tick: Awarded to notable public figures, creators, and brands after an internal verification process to ensure authenticity. Unlike X, verification on TikTok cannot be purchased.
On platforms like X (Twitter), verification can be purchased through subscriptions, and thus having the blue tick does not always confirm authenticity. Always verify an account by checking additional details, such as usernames, posting history, and official websites of any individual, business or institution you’re researching about.
3. Review profile information
Bio and about section: Check for spelling errors, vague descriptions, or exaggerated claims. Authentic pages typically provide clear and professional details about their identity, purpose, or affiliations.
Account creation date: Fake accounts and pages are often recently created and may lack a history of consistent activity. A legitimate profile usually has a longer track record with regular updates or posts.
Contact information: Genuine pages often include official websites, verified email addresses, or other credible contact details. Be cautious of pages that lack such information or provide suspicious links.
4. Examine profile picture and media
Using Google Reverse Image Search or TinEye to verify whether a profile picture has been stolen or used elsewhere. Fake accounts often use stock images, AI-generated photos, or pictures of real individuals without their consent. Sometimes, they use photos of dead persons to create new social media profile or pages.
If the image is linked to multiple unrelated sources or appears on stock photo websites, the account may be fake. Also, check to ensure that the image has not been generated online using any of image generator such as this.
5. Analyze posting history and engagement
Authentic social media accounts typically maintain a consistent posting history, while fake pages sometimes post excessively within a short period to appear active or have very few posts overall.
Another red flag is the comment section as fraudulent pages often disable comments to avoid scrutiny or display spam-like engagement with repetitive, generic, or bot-generated responses.
Additionally, engagement patterns can reveal inconsistencies; a legitimate page usually has a balanced ratio of followers to interactions. If an account has thousands of followers but very little engagement, it may have purchased fake followers. Similarly, a sudden spike in activity from suspicious or bot-like accounts could indicate inauthentic behaviour.
6. Cross-check with official sources
To verify the authenticity of a social media account, start by conducting a Google search using the account name along with keywords like “official account” to see if reputable sources or the organisation itself recognise it. Next, visit the official website of the individual, brand, or organisation to check if they have links to their verified social media pages there, as legitimate entities often provide direct links.
Additionally, cross-check with reliable fact-checking organisations such as The FactCheckHub, Africa Check, and Dubawa to determine if the social media account has been flagged for spreading misinformation or impersonation. These steps help confirm whether an account is genuine or potentially deceptive.
7. Use third-party tools
You may use websites like Botometer.org to analyze X (Twitter) accounts to assess the likelihood of them being bots by examining their activity patterns, engagement behaviour, and posting frequency. This tool helps identify inauthentic accounts that may be part of misinformation campaigns or spam networks.
If a social media profile includes a website link, performing a Whois Lookup can provide valuable insights into its domain ownership. This tool reveals details such as the registration date, ownership information (if not private), and the organisation behind the website. Checking these details can help verify whether the linked site is legitimate or associated with suspicious activities.
If you come across a Facebook page claiming to be the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) offering instant loans, several red flags can indicate it’s a scam.
The page may lack a verification badge, use a misleading username like “@CBN_loanFree2024” instead of the official handle and have an “About” section filled with grammatical errors and no official contact information.
Additionally, its posts may be only a few days old yet have thousands of fake likes. A quick Google search could reveal warnings from CBN about fraudulent pages impersonating the institution.
In conclusion, to avoid falling for such scams, always cross-check usernames and website links before trusting a social media page or profile. Avoid engaging with suspicious accounts; don’t like, comment, or share their content until you’re certain of their authenticity. Instead, report fake pages to social media platforms to help prevent misinformation, fraud and other forms of scam from spreading or harming truth.
A claim that nobody was arrested over the killing of over 40 worshippers in Owo town, Ondo State has gone viral on X.
An X user, @Fagbohun_AB posted the claim with a caption thus:
“I just Randomly remember the Killings that happened at OWO church, Ondo in 2023. I remembered the videos and pictures of people killed in the cold hands of death, blood splashed everywhere. Till date, nobody was arrested, The case has been shut silent.. No justice, nothing at all.”
The post has garnered more than 700,000 views plus over 5,000 repost and more than 13,000 likes as of April 1, 2025.
CLAIM
Nobody was arrested over Owo church killing.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE; at least six suspects reportedly involved in the Owo church killing were arrested by Nigerian security operatives.
Recall that on June 5, 2022, St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, was attacked by gunmen during a Pentecost Sunday service, resulting in the deaths of at least 40 worshippers while many others suffered varying injuries. The assailants detonated explosives and fired multiple gunshots into the congregation during service, marking one of the deadliest attacks on a religious institution in Nigeria’s recent history.
Screenshot of the viral post retrieved from X. INSERT: FALSE verdict.
The gruesome attack shocked the nation and sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for urgent action to address insecurity in the country. In the aftermath of the attack, the Nigerian government blamed the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a terrorist group linked to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), for orchestrating the massacre. However, ISWAP did not officially claim responsibility for the attack.
However, security agencies launched investigations and later announced multiple arrests of suspects linked to the incident. For instance, in August 2022, a joint operation by the military and the Department of State Services (DSS) led to the apprehension of four suspects in Eika, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The individuals arrested were identified as Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (also known as Bin Malik), who was pinpointed as the mastermind behind the Owo church attack, along with Momoh Otohu Abubakar, Aliyu Yusuf Itopa, and Auwal Ishaq Onimisi.
Further efforts culminated in the arrest of two additional suspects, Al-Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris, on August 9, 2022, in Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose Local Government Area, Ondo State. These arrests, involving at least six suspects, were the result of collaborative operations between military and DSS personnel.
THE VERDICT
The claim that nobody was arrested over Owo church killing is FALSE; at least, six suspects were arrested by the Nigerian security agents in connection to the attack, according to credible media reports.
However, it’s important to note that verification policies vary across platforms, and on some, verification can be purchased, making it less reliable as a sole indicator of authenticity.
