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Two years in office: Fact-checking Tinubu’s mid-term performance claims

Abdullahi Muritala, Nurudeen Akewushola and Fatimah Quadri
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Two years in office: Fact-checking Tinubu’s mid-term performance claims

THE Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marked his second year in office on May 29, 2025 and delivered an anniversary speech. In the speech, he highlighted key achievements, policy reforms, and economic growth in the country under his administration. While the speech aims to reassure Nigerians of his government’s commitment to fulfilling his renewed hope promises, it also contained several claims that warrant closer scrutiny.

The FactCheckHub examined the accuracy of some of the major statements made by Tinubu, separating facts from political rhetoric to provide a clearer and accurate picture of his administration’s performance. Here are some of them:

 

CLAIM 1

Multiple foreign exchange windows eliminated in Nigeria.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is TRUE.

One of the major reforms championed by Tinubu’s administration is the elimination of its multiple exchange rate system. On June 14, 2023, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) unified all segments of the foreign exchange market into a single window—the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window—where rates are determined by market forces under a “willing buyer, willing seller” model.

READ THIS: Two years on: Tinubu administration continues to reel out misleading information

This policy shift was part of broader economic reforms initiated by the Tinubu-led administration to enhance transparency, attract foreign investment, and reduce opportunities for arbitrage and corruption associated with the previous multiple exchange rate regime.

While the unification has led to a more market-reflective exchange rate, it has also resulted in significant volatility and a sharp depreciation of the naira. For instance, the naira fell to record lows against the U.S. dollar in both official and parallel markets following the reform.

As of May 29, 2025, the official exchange rate stands at approximately ₦1,586 per U.S. dollar. However, disparities between the official and parallel market rates persist, indicating that while the multiple exchange rate windows have been abolished, full convergence between official and unofficial rates is yet to be achieved.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the multiple foreign exchange windows has been eliminated is TRUE; public records revealed.

 

CLAIM 2

Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio dropped from 100% in 2022 to under 40% by 2024.

THE FINDINGS

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

In 2022, Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio was very high. The World Bank reported that the country spent 96.3% of its revenue on debt servicing that year. Additionally, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) indicated that the ratio reached 111.8% same year.

In the first quarter of 2024, debt servicing consumed about 74% of the federal government’s retained revenue. By July 2024, the nation’s Finance minister, Wale Edun, stated that the ratio had declined from 97% in 2023 to 68% in 2024.

Also, President Tinubu, during the inauguration ceremony of newly appointed ministers in November 2024, announced that the ratio had further decreased to 65%, attributing the improvement to economic reforms.

However, an April 2025 report by CNBCAfrica and News Central TV noted that Nigeria’s debt servicing costs soared to 144% of government retained revenue in January 2025, citing a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) report.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the debt service-to-revenue ratio dropped from 100% in 2022 to under 40% by 2024 is FALSE; findings show that while there was notable decrease to around 65% in November 2024, it soared to 144% by January 2025, according to media reports.

CLAIM 3

Inflation has begun to decline, and the prices of staples like rice are falling across Nigeria.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is TRUE.

Nigeria recently rebased its consumer price index (CPI) from 2009 to 2024, leading to a significant drop in the reported inflation rate from 34.80 per cent to 24.48 per cent in January 2025.

Inflation rate rebasing follows a structured approach led by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to improve the accuracy of inflation measurements. Essentially what it means is that the NBS expanded its data collection efforts to include a broader range of states, local government areas, and rural communities.

Since the rebasing, inflation headline has begun to go downward spiral. It dropped to 23.18 per cent, 24.23% and 23.71 per cent in February, March and April 2025 respectively.

Surveys conducted in major markets across Nigeria indicate a substantial decrease in the prices of essential food items recently.

For instance, in Lagos, the price of a 50kg bag of rice dropped from ₦90,000–₦95,000 in January 2025 to around ₦75,000 by March.  The cost of a 50kg bag of beans decreased from ₦105,000 in January to ₦80,000.

These price reductions are attributed to several factors, including improved agricultural practices, favorable weather conditions leading to bumper harvests, and the cessation of hoarding activities by traders. Additionally, government initiatives to boost food production and the lifting of bans on certain food imports have increased supply, contributing to the price decline.

Despite these positive developments, challenges persist. While food prices have decreased, they remain relatively high compared to previous years, and many Nigerians continue to struggle with food affordability. Moreover, factors such as climate change-induced water scarcity and security issues in farming regions in the country continue to pose risks to sustained agricultural productivity.

THE VERDICT

The claim that inflation has begun to decline, and the prices of staples like rice are falling is TRUE. However, the inflation came down after NBS changed the methodology while the prices of food stuff are nothing near the previous years prices, prior to Tinubu’s administration.

 

CLAIM 4

Tinubu says over 1,000 PHCs have been revitalized while 5,500 more are being upgraded.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MOSTLY FALSE.

In April 2025, multiple media outlets such as Premium Times, Guardian and Punch reported that the federal government had upgraded 901 PHC’s with 2,700 more to be targeted this year

The Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, disclosed this during the PHC update and 2025 African Vaccination Week press briefing held in Abuja.

THE VERDICT

The claim that Tinubu’s administration has revitalized over 1,000 Primary Health Care Centres is MOSTLY FALSE; media reports indicate that they were 901 as of April 2025, though there was no May 2025 data.

 

CLAIM 5

Nigeria’s oil rig counts up by over 400% in 2025 compared to 2021.

THE FINDINGS

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is TRUE.

Nigeria’s oil rig count is a vital indicator of upstream oil and gas activities, reflecting the nation’s exploration and production efforts. Historically, the rig count has fluctuated due to various factors, including global oil prices, domestic policies, and industry dynamics.

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in Nigeria’s rig count, attributed to the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which has fostered a more favorable environment for investment and operations in the sector.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) plays a pivotal role in overseeing and regulating upstream petroleum operations in Nigeria.

DON’T MISS THIS: In Democracy Day speech, Buhari’s GDP growth rate contradicts figures from CBN, IMF, others

Established under the PIA, the NUPRC is responsible for ensuring compliance with industry standards, promoting transparency, and facilitating sustainable development in the oil and gas sector.

As part of its mandate, the NUPRC publishes the Rig Disposition Report, a comprehensive document that provides detailed information on the status and distribution of drilling rigs across Nigeria. According to the report, Nigeria has a rig count of 62 as of April 2025. This is 675% higher than eight that it was in 2021.

THE VERDICT

The claim that Nigeria’s oil rig counts increased by over 400% in 2025 compared to 2021 is TRUE; data by NUPRC show.

 

CLAIM 6

Nigeria’s fiscal deficit reduced from 5.4% of GDP in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show the claim is TRUE.

In Nigeria, a fiscal deficit occurs when the government’s total expenditure exceeds its total revenue (excluding borrowings) within a fiscal year. This situation indicates that the government is spending more than it earns, necessitating borrowing to finance the gap. Persistent fiscal deficits can lead to increased public debt and may impact economic stability.

The fiscal deficit is calculated by subtracting the total government revenue (excluding borrowings) from the total government expenditure. To assess the deficit relative to the size of the economy, it is often expressed as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This metric helps in evaluating the government’s fiscal health and sustainability.

According to Nigeria’s Fiscal Responsibility Act, the fiscal deficit should not exceed 3% of the country’s GDP to ensure fiscal discipline and economic stability.

According to World Bank, the Nigerian government revenue rose by 4.5% of GDP last year, a “remarkable achievement” driven by the removal of foreign exchange subsidies, improved tax administration and higher remittances.

The higher revenue helped cut the fiscal deficit to an estimated 3% of GDP in 2024, from 5.4% in 2023.

THE VERDICT

The claim that Nigeria’s fiscal deficit reduced from 5.4% of GDP in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024 is TRUE; the World Bank data show.

 

CLAIM 7

Ways and Means financing discontinued by Tinubu’s administration.

THE FINDINGS

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is TRUE.

According to a Punch report, Ways and Means is the money that the CBN lends to the Nigerian government in the meantime to augment spending based on the time the revenue is generated.

Reports from The Cable and Punch show that the current administration halted the Way and Means loan in an announcement made by the CBN governor, Olayemi Cardoso, on February 9, 2024, in an appearance before the Senate Committees on Finance, Appropriations, Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the way and means loan was discontinued during Tinubu-led administration is TRUE, media reports confirmed.

CLAIM 8

Nigeria’s external reserves grew from $4 billion in 2023 to over $23 billion by end of 2024.

THE FINDINGS

Check by The FactCheckHub shows that the claim is TRUE.

The CBN reported that Nigeria’s net foreign exchange (FX) reserves (NFER) increased from $3.99 billion at the end of 2023 to $23.11 billion by December 2024, marking a 479% rise and the highest level in over three years. According to a Vanguard report, the CBN stated that the $23.11 billion figure represents a significant recovery from $3.99 billion at year-end 2023, $8.19 billion in 2022, and $14.59 billion in 2021. This was also corroborated by a TVC News video report.

THE VERDICT

The claim that Nigeria’s external reserves grew from $4 billion in 2023 to over $23 billion by end of 2024 is TRUE; reports from credible media outlets confirmed.

 

CLAIM 9

Health insurance enrollees expanded from 16 million to 20 million in Nigeria.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MOSTLY TRUE.

In December 2024, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) announced an increase in insurance coverage from 16.7 million to approximately 19.2 million individuals — a 14% rise in less than a year. NHIA Director-General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, revealed this during a media parley in December 2024.

ALSO READ: Did Oyo IGR increase by 26.4%, Is Kaduna planning to tax everyone above 18?

This was also reiterated a few days later by Dr. Ohiri at the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day event, where he emphasized the need to further scale up enrollment in 2025 to 20 million.

THE VERDICT

The claim that Nigeria’s health insurance have been expanded from 16 million to 20 million enrollees is MOSTLY TRUE; 19.2 million Nigerians have been enrolled as at December 2024.

 

CLAIM 10

Nigeria’s GDP recorded 4.6% growth in Q4 2024 and a full-year 2024 growth at 3.4%.

THE FINDINGS

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is TRUE!

In 2024, Nigeria’s economy showed notable resilience, recording a GDP growth of 4.6% in the fourth quarter and an overall annual growth rate of 3.4%, Proshare reported. This marks one of the country’s strongest economic performances in the past decade, driven by robust aggregate demand, improved agricultural output, and a rebound in key non-oil sectors.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the services sector was the primary driver of this growth, expanding by 5.37% in Q4 2024 and contributing 57.38% to the total GDP, Vanguard also reported in February 2025. Key contributors within the sector included financial services, insurance, and telecommunications.

THE VERDICT

The claim that Nigeria’s GDP grew by 4.6% in Q4 2024, and full year growth at 3.4 % is TRUE.

CableCheck, 22 others get IFCN 2025 BUILD grant

Fatimah Quadri
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CableCheck, 22 others get IFCN 2025 BUILD grant

CableCheck and 22 other fact-checking organisations spread across 20 countries have been awarded the BUILD 2025 round of the Global Fact-Check Fund managed by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at the Poynter Institute.

This was disclosed via a statement signed by the IFCN director, Angie Holan, on May 29, 2025. The grants are aimed at promoting and strengthening fact-checking journalism worldwide.

The statement noted that each recipient will receive $25,000 in flexible funding to cover essential operational expenses such as staffing, training, equipment, and technology.

READ THIS: IFCN announces speakers for Global Fact 12

This support is designed to enhance their capacity to debunk misinformation on issues of public importance and help the public develop stronger critical thinking skills when consuming information.

The statement highlighted that to qualify for the fund, organisations had to be signatories of the IFCN Code of Principles, which involves a voluntary commitment and a verification process to ensure adherence to global standards of transparency, independence, impartiality, and methodology.

The fund also accepted applications from other organisations that were endorsed by an IFCN signatory. In total, 14 signatory organisations and nine endorsed outlets were awarded grants.

Holan highlighted that supporting fact-checkers helps strengthen global information integrity and it’s a powerful way to promote accountability and public trust.

“When we invest in fact-checking, we’re not just investing in individual organisations. We’re strengthening information integrity worldwide.

Supporting fact-checkers is one of the most impactful investments we can make in accountability, transparency, and public trust,” she said.

Speaking with The FactCheckHub, Ebunoluwa Olafusi, the Fact-check Editor at CableCheck who is one of the beneficiaries, noted that the grant would help to boost its fact-checking efforts through stronger collaborations, improved access to verification tools, expanded staff, and training to combat misinformation more effectively.

“We plan to strengthen our fact-checking operations and expand our impact by doing more rigorous work and emphasising factual information. We also intend to work and collaborate with fact-checking organisations to reach a wider audience.

“One of the unique challenges we faced in combating misinformation was accessing a few verification tools. With the grant, we will be able to access more tools, get more hands on the desk and also facilitate trainings on how to curb misinformation and disinformation in the information landscape,” Olafusi said.

She highlighted that being part of the Global Fact Check Fund reinforces its commitment to publishing accurate information. She added that the opportunity would foster networking and collaboration with international peers and other industry stakeholders, while also strengthening CableCheck’s role in global conversations.

ALSO READ: Global Fact-Check Fund: FactCheckHub, Dubawa, 33 others get Google/YouTube grant

Since its launch in 2023, the Global Fact Check Fund has allocated over $8.5 million to 174 journalism organisations across 72 countries through its three funding levels: BUILD, GROW, and ENGAGE. Later this year, a call for applications will open for the GROW tier, which offers $50,000 grants for fact-checking initiatives.

Below are the list of grant winners by region:

Africa

  • CableCheck
  • Radio Erena
  • Local Voices Media Network

Asia-Pacific

  • Mizzima Media
  • Danbi FactCheck
  • MindaNews

Europe

  • Lakmusz
  • PA Media
  • Azbuka Media
  • FactReview

Latin America

  • ChequeaBolivia
  • Efecto Cocuyo
  • Lupa
  • Bolivia Verifica
  • Mala Espina

Middle East and North Africa

  • Kashif
  • CancerDisinfo

North America

  • Mas Voces Foundation
  • International Consortium of Investigative Journalists

South Asia

  • NewsMobile
  • Digiteye
  • Digital Forensics, Research and Analytics Center
  • Soch Fact Check

NIMASA DG falsely claims zero piracy in Nigeria’s waterways in last three years

Abdullahi Muritala
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NIMASA DG falsely claims zero piracy in Nigeria’s waterways in last three years

The Director General (DG) of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, recently claimed that Nigeria’s territorial waterways recorded zero piracy attacks in the last three years.

He disclosed this in a short video teaser shared in the public WhatsApp channel managed by the Nigerian presidency under the name “StateHouse NG (The Aso Villa)” on May 24, 2025.

The 74-second video teaser was also posted by the Nigerian presidency on its official X account and YouTube channel same day as seen here and here. The full interview is expected to be released to the public anytime soon.

READ THIS: Nigerian presidency repeats lies, half-truths on infrastructure projects in South-East (Part 1)

The caption accompanying the teaser in the WhatsApp channel reads:

“”Zero Piracy in Nigeria’s Waters in 3 years?”

“In this short clip from an upcoming episode of Unfiltered: The Big Interview, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), makes a bold declaration: Nigeria has not recorded a single case of piracy in its territorial waters. It is now one of the safest in the world. 

“Hosted by Otega ‘The Tiger’ Ogra, this episode dives into Nigeria’s maritime security gains, the Blue Economy vision, and NIMASA’s role in positioning Nigeria as a secure shipping hub in Africa.

“Watch, share, and join the conversation on how maritime security reforms are reshaping Nigeria’s global image.”

The transcripts of the video teaser also read:

“Nigeria’s territorial water had been at peace. For the past three years, there had been no single piracy. The US Coast Guard went on inspection of all our ports, jetties, critical installations in Nigeria and said everything that they inspected have given them a summary to say that Nigeria inland waterways, coastal waterways is one of the safest in the whole world. NIMASA has repositioned itself take a bet on us and I can assure you this is a lottery that you will not lose. You will win,” Dr. Mobereola stated in the footage.

DON’T MISS THIS: Did Lagos record zero bank robbery in four years?

Recall that the Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on March 12, 2024 announced the appointment of Dr. Mobereola as NIMASA DG for a renewable four-year term in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, the then presidential spokesperson.

CLAIM

There has been no single piracy in Nigeria’s waterways in the last three years.

 

THE FINDINGS

Check by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE, as multiple reports from credible media outlets and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) indicated that there were at least three pirate attacks between May 2022 and May 2025.

In the context of Nigeria’s coastal waters, piracy refers to criminal acts committed at sea, especially against ships, boats, crew members or offshore installations. Article 101 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea says piracy consists of the following acts:

(a). any illegal acts of violence or detention, or any act of depredation, committed for private ends by the crew or the passengers of a private ship or a private aircraft, and directed: (i) on the high seas, against another ship or aircraft, or against persons or property on board such ship or aircraft; (ii) against a ship, aircraft, persons or property in a place outside the jurisdiction of any State;

(b). any act of voluntary participation in the operation of a ship or of an aircraft with knowledge of facts making it a pirate ship or aircraft;

(c). any act of inciting or of intentionally facilitating an act described in subparagraph (a) or (b).

FILE PHOTO: Pirates on a gunship. This is solely used for illustration purpose.
FILE PHOTO: Pirates on a gunship. This is solely used for illustration purpose.

These acts include hijacking vessels, kidnapping crew or passengers for ransom, robbery of goods, fuel, or cash onboard and attacks on oil infrastructure that usually occur in the Gulf of Guinea, which includes Nigeria’s maritime zone, one of the global piracy hotspots until recently, though a 2022 report by TheCable noted that pirate incidents had declined that year.

To verify the accuracy of the claim, our researcher reviewed piracy reports from May 2022 till May 2025 and found at least three piracy attacks reported by credible media outlets and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Although media reports as seen here, here and here confirmed that 2022 was pirate-free for the Nigerian maritime, there were two confirmed cases in 2023.

For instance, on June 5, 2023, there was a suspected pirate attack on two passenger boats along the waterways of Rivers State that reportedly left one female passenger feared dead. The incident occurred as the boats were enroute from Abonema to Kula, both in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state, Punch reported. According to maritime union sources, each vessel was carrying around 12 passengers when the assailants struck mid-journey. In an attempt to evade capture, many of the passengers reportedly jumped into the river.

Screenshot of the video posted on the State House NG's WhatsApp channel. INSERT: FALSE verdict.
Screenshot of the video posted on the State House NG’s WhatsApp channel. INSERT: FALSE verdict.

Also, The Africa Report reported that on June 26, 2023, no fewer than 8 staff of MRS Oil Nigeria Plc were abducted while they boarded a boat at a jetty on Lagos water. The Nigerian police spokesperson for Lagos Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, also confirmed the incident in a Vanguard report. 

ALSO READ: Two years on – Tinubu presidency spreads misleading information

Additionally, our researcher found a comprehensive monthly maritime incident report published by Priavo Security in June 2023, which documented the above incidents plus an additional one it noted was unconfirmed as at the time of that publication.

Further checks through the IMO piracy reports in 2024 didn’t yield any result. However, our researcher found a case of piracy in 2025. According to the global maritime body, the incident occurred in Apapa port in Lagos, Nigeria, when duty crew members aboard a berthed tanker observed four unauthorized individuals on the vessel. Upon being noticed, the intruders fled the scene without taking anything. The incident was subsequently reported to the port authorities.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that there was no single piracy in Nigeria’s waterways in the last three years is FALSE; there were at least three recorded pirate incidents between May 2022 and May 2025.

How to protect yourself from AI voice cloning scams, audio deepfakes – Experts

Abdullahi Muritala
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How to protect yourself from AI voice cloning scams, audio deepfakes – Experts

The terrifying reality of a growing scam where fraudsters now use AI-generated voice clones to impersonate relatives and extort money from unsuspecting victims is rapidly gaining momentum. With just a short audio clip pulled from your social media posts or past phone calls, scammers can mimic your voice convincingly.

In today’s digital world, deepfake technology and voice cloning are rapidly evolving, courtesy of artificial intelligence (AI). With increasing innovation in AI, any misuse could result into manipulation of digital content and thus, leading to fraud or loss of and damage to personal or organisational reputation.

“Deepfake and voice cloning are interconnected yet distinct concepts,” says Mert Çıkan, Product Owner at SESTEK.

“Deepfake technology involves employing advanced AI algorithms to produce media—videos, audios, images, and text—that deceptively appear realistic, despite being fabricated or altered. Voice cloning, on the other hand, is a unique subset within deepfake technology, focusing on audio manipulation. With this technique audio content can be synthesized that sounds like a specific individual,” he says.

In recent years, there have been multiple cases of audio deepfakes and voice cloning incidents in Nigeria and across the world.

For instance, in April 2023, an audio clip surfaced online purportedly featuring Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, referring to the 2023 election as a “religious war” in an alleged conversation with the presiding Bishop of Winners Chapel International, David Oyedepo. Obi denied the authenticity of the “Yes Daddy” audio leak, labeling it as “fake” and “doctored,” and suggested it was an attempt to discredit him prior to Nigeria’s 2023 general election.

READ THIS: How to protect yourself from online scams – Study

Another audio deepfake circulated online, allegedly capturing a conversation between former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo; Nigerian musician, Charly Boy and former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke. The audio clip suggested that Obasanjo was urging protests against the 2023 election results. However, a fact-check by TheCable concluded that the audio was doctored and did not meet the authenticity threshold when compared with verified samples of Obasanjo’s voice.​

On the global scene, a man in Los Angeles, United States was swindled out of $25,000 after fraudsters used AI to replicate his son’s voice, convincing him of a fabricated emergency. ​

A 2023 Guardian newspaper report revealed that AI scams now explore cloning to defraud consumers, following a 264% increase in attacks. The report quoted the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) saying that impersonation attacks increased by 264 per cent for the first five months of 2023 compared to 2021. The report also highlighted the increasing use of AI in fraudulent activities, noting that​ “cybercriminals are leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) through cloning to defraud unsuspecting consumers.”

The FactCheckHub spoke with at least two leading experts combatting information disorder in Africa – Lee Nwiti, Chief Editor at Africa Check in South Africa and Silas Jonathan, Digital Investigation Manager at the Digital Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Information Disorder Analysis Centre (DAIDAC) in Nigeria.

“Scammers now use AI to clone voices with chilling accuracy — impersonating friends, family, or colleagues to trick victims into handing over money or sensitive information,” Nwiti warns.

DON’T MISS THIS: Five tools to detect audio deepfakes

But as concerns grow over the misuse of AI in everyday life, Jonathan emphasizes that awareness is the first and most crucial step in protecting oneself from AI-powered voice cloning scams.

“You can’t protect yourself from something you don’t even know exists,” he warns, highlighting the urgent need for public education on the realities of voice cloning technology. “The first thing people need to know is that there is a possibility that their voices can now be cloned,” he added.

Safety Tips:

However, they suggested some ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to this new form of scam and audio deepfakes as follow:

1. Know that voice cloning and deepfakes are real

AI voice cloning scams are no longer science fiction. With just a few voice samples often pulled from social media videos, voice notes, or phone calls, scammers can create convincing voice replicas that sound just like someone you know. You can’t guard against what you don’t know exists. Voice cloning is real, so is audio deepfakes – beware!

2. Watch out for emotional manipulation

Fraudsters typically create a sense of urgency — for example, claiming a loved one has been in an accident or kidnapped — and then demand immediate money transfers. Always pause before reacting.

3. Evaluate the audio or voice thoroughly

Before you interpret any kind of alleged audio leak or phone call… it is very important to ask yourself these questions: “Now that I’m aware that voices can be cloned, is this true? Is the alleged person likely to say something like that?” Always question the authenticity of controversial or unexpected audio leaks or strange phone calls.

4. Verify before you act

Don’t trust the voice or audio clip alone. Call the person(s) involved using their regular phone numbers, or contact any close friend or family member nearer to the person(s) to verify the situation. If it doesn’t check out, it’s likely a scam.

ALSO READ: AI voice technology used to create misleading videos on TikTok – Report

Also, you can check online to see if there is some news around the incident from credible media outlets. You may also search online for corroborating evidence or news reports that support or refute the audio.

5. Consult experts

It’s really good to share such audio clip or phony call recording with experts or fact-checking organisations like FactCheckHub, Africa Check, DAIDAC or Dubawa, among others. Fact-checkers have the tools and expertise to analyse such audio and are skilled to provide guidance (or caution) on the authenticity or otherwise of the clip or recording. You may also submit it to The FactCheckHub team via our mobile app to help you verify.

6. Avoid hasty conclusions

Dealing with audio can be very tricky because it’s not visual. Sometimes you have nothing to prove or to show. Be cautious with audio-only evidence; lack of visuals makes it easier to manipulate.

7. Set up family code words

Agree on secret phrases or code words with close family and friends that only you would know. If you ever receive a suspicious voice message or audio clip or phone call, ask for the code word before continuing the conversation.

8. Practice good digital hygiene

Limit the amount of personal voice content you share online. Be mindful of what you post publicly, and avoid oversharing details that could be used to make cloned phone calls or audio clip more convincing.

9. Report scams to appropriate local authorities

Even if you didn’t lose money, report the incident, scam or audio leak to the appropriate local authorities. For Nigerians, report such scams to the Nigeria Police Force-National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) via their official X account or the Police HQ cybercrime unit, or the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) through their Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (ngCERT) portal.​

These voice-cloning scams and audio deepfakes are sophisticated, but awareness and preparation can help you stay ahead. Talk to your friends and family about these tactics. Set up a plan. And remember: if it feels like a scam or too familiar voice, it probably is phony. Hang up and verify.

Two years on: Tinubu administration continues to reel out misleading information

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Two years on: Tinubu administration continues to reel out misleading information

SINCE taking office on May 29, 2023, the Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his media team have frequently come under scrutiny for spreading misinformation and half-truths to shape public perception. The Nigerian presidency has repeatedly, through official press statements, social media posts, and media appearances, pushed narratives that often fall short of factual accuracy in some cases.

Last year, when Tinubu clocked one year in office, The FactCheckHub examined how the president’s media team, led then by Ajuri Ngelale, spread misinformation regarding the UAE visa ban and NASDAQ’s closing bell, among others.

Though Ngelale has stepped down, the spread of false or misleading information by the president and his media aides continue unabashed, thus prompting this report.

READ THIS: Fact-checking claims about companies that have exited Nigeria under Tinubu presidency

Tinubu’s media aides include the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare; Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala; Senior Special Assistant on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz; Senior Special Assistant on Digital/New Media, O’tega Ogra; Senior Special Assistant on Media & Public Affairs, Tope Ajayi; Senior Special Assistant on Public Engagement, Fredrick Nwabufo; Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Communications, Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe; Senior Special Assistant on Media & Communications (Vice President’s Office), Kingsley Stanley Nkwocha and Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun etc.

In this insightful report, we spotlight a series of false or misleading information shared by President Tinubu and his media aides two years into his four-year administration.

1. Tinubu’s misleading claim about crude oil production

Addressing Nigerians via a nationwide broadcast in the early hours of August 4, 2024 following the nationwide protests across the country, President Tinubu highlighted some of the achievements recorded by his administration to cushion the effects of economic hardship on the citizens.

During the address, the president claimed that Nigeria has increased crude oil production to 1.61 million barrels per day. However, findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim was FALSE.

According to the data from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Nigeria’s average daily crude oil production stood at 1.276 million barrels per day (bpd) in June 2024, based on data submitted by the Nigerian government, which is an OPEC member.

OPEC gathers data on crude oil production from direct communication from member countries and secondary communication, such as energy intelligence platforms.

This represents an increase of just 25,000 barrels daily from 1.251 million barrels bpd recorded in May 2024. 

According to secondary sources, Nigeria retained its position as the largest oil producer in Africa with 1.362 million bpd in June 2024, closely trailed by Libya, which produced 1.2 million bpd for the same month.

2. Tinubu’s false information about foreign investment 

In the nationwide broadcast on October 1, 2024, Tinubu shared updates on the nation’s progress, economic outlook, and security measures as Nigeria marked its 64th anniversary. 

During the address, the president said that Nigeria attracted foreign direct investments worth more than $30 billion in the previous year (2023). However, checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

DON’T MISS THIS: A look at misinformation spread by Tinubu’s media team within one year in office

Nigeria received a total of $59.77 million in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the third quarter of 2023, when Tinubu became Nigeria’s president, according to official data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). In the fourth quarter of 2023, FDI amounted to $183.97 million, while the first quarter of 2024 saw $119.18 million in earnings. Altogether, Nigeria attracted $362.92 million in foreign direct investment over the nine months between July 2023 and March 2024. This is lower than the amount mentioned by Tinubu in the presidential broadcast.

3. Misleading images of ‘Secretary of State Parolin’

Ahead of the inauguration mass for Pope Leo XIV held on May 18, 2025, the Nigerian presidency shared photos of Tinubu’s visit to the Vatican via the president’s official X handle and one of his media aides, Bayo Onanuga. In the post, the Presidency said Tinubu was warmly received by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State.

In the photos shared, the president was seen talking with the cardinal as he posed for a picture with him. However, the person he posed for photographs with was not Parolin, as claimed in the X post.

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the person in both images is Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, President of the Commission for Confidential Matters, and President of the Committee for Investments.

4. Onanuga’s misleading claim about Julius Debrah 

On January 6, 2025, one of Nigeria’s presidential spokespersons, Bayo Onanuga, claimed that Julius Debrah was the Chief of Staff to the immediate-past president of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo.

Onanuga posted the claim on X (formerly Twitter) to announce the Nigerian president’s arrival at the inauguration ceremony held for the newly elected Ghanaian president, John Mahama, on January 7, 2025.

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING, as Debrah is the current Chief of Staff to Ghanaian President, John Mahama, who was sworn-in this January.

To verify the claim, our fact-checker subjected the keyword “chief of staff to president Nana Addo Akufo” to an advanced Bing search. The results show that Mrs Akosua Frema Osei-Opare was the Chief of Staff to ex-president Akufo-Addo, who served from 2017- 2025.

Further findings revealed that Julius Debrah was the Chief of Staff to the President Mahama during his first tenure after he was appointed in February 2015, when Prosper Douglas Bani was removed and assigned as Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary.

ALSO READ: Video does not show Jonathan accused Sowore of working for Tinubu

Debrah was later re-appointed as Mahama’s Chief of Staff on January 6, 2025 and he received President Tinubu in that official capacity when the Nigerian president arrived Ghana ahead of the inauguration.

5. Another Tinubu’s aide shares misleading image to falsely portray Obi’s record

On April 29, 2025, Dada Olusegun shared two contrasting images on X to compare water transportation in Anambra State under Peter Obi’s governorship tenure (2006 – 2014), and Lagos State under the current Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

In one image, Obi was seen in a wooden canoe in a flood-ravaged area. The second image showed Sanwo-Olu aboard a modern watercraft. Olusegun captioned the post: “Water transportation in Anambra under Obi Vs Water Transportation in Lagos under Babajide Sanwo-Olu.”

A reverse image search conducted by The FactCheckHub revealed that the photo was taken in October 2022, eight years after Obi left office, during a visit to flood victims in Anambra State. At the time, Obi was a presidential candidate under the Labour Party for the 2023 general election.

6. Nigerian Presidency shares misleading video during #EndBadGovernance protest

During the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protest in Nigeria, the Nigerian presidency shared a video of President Tinubu purportedly issuing a passionate plea to Nigerians to embrace peace and “look beyond temporary pains.” The video also appeared on Tinubu’s official X account.

However, findings by The FactCheckHub show that the video is an extract from an old broadcast by Tinubu. A Google reverse image search conducted on some keyframes obtained from the video showed that the longer version was posted by Tinubu on July 31, 2023.  The text version was also posted on Nigeria’s State House’s website same day.

7. Onanuga’s false claim that Nigeria budgeted 97% of revenue for debt servicing in 2023

In June 2024, a New York Times article about Nigeria’s economic situation drew a response from the Nigerian government.

The article, titled ‘Nigeria Confronts Its Worst Economic Crisis in a Generation‘, talks about fuel subsidy removal and the floatation of Nigeria’s currency by the Tinubu-led administration and their impacts on the population.

Reacting to the report, the Nigerian presidency, through Onanuga, described the article as a “jaundiced report” and claimed that the current economic crisis was a consequence of the bad economy Tinubu inherited.

THIS MIGHT INTEREST YOU: Old video of Tinubu working out goes viral with misleading claim

Onanuga then claimed that the 2023 Appropriation Act was inefficient as it proposed to spend 97 percent of the country’s revenues to service debt.

However, the claim was FALSE, according to findings by FIJ. In 2023, the country was projected to generate N8.46 trillion in revenue and spend N6.31 trillion servicing public debt. According to the Debt Management Office (DMO), which coordinates the management of Nigeria’s debt, this represented a debt-servicing ratio of 73.5 per cent.

8. Bwala’s false claims about Ndume projects, bills passed

In April 2025, Daniel Bwala claimed that Senator Ali Ndume has not had any executed projects throughout his 22-year stay in the National Assembly.

He made the claim (video times stamp: 15:39 – 17:01) during an interview on Channels TV’s programme, Sunday Politics, on April 13, 2025, in response to earlier criticisms of the presidential media team by Ndume on the same programme on April 11, 2025.

Bwala also stated that despite spending 22 years in Nigeria’s National Assembly as a lawmaker, Ndume has not completed a single project in Southern Borno, his constituency. He also accused the senator of neglecting over 120,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from his constituency who are still refugees in Cameroon.

Findings by The FactCheckHub revealed some projects executed by Ndume as a senator and multiple bills sponsored and passed by him as a lawmaker.

Video does not show ransom meant for kidnappers in Nigeria

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Video does not show ransom meant for kidnappers in Nigeria

A video showing bundles of naira notes being arranged in a car boot has circulated online alongside a claim that it shows ransom being prepared to be paid to “Fulani herdsmen” in Nigeria.

An X user, @agnes_nwanneka, posted the video, captioned thus:

“This is ransom to be paid to Fulani herdsmen for their kidnapping job in Nigeria.”

The video has garnered some traction online with over 100 reposts and more than 100 likes, and thus sparking mixed reactions in the comment section.

READ THIS: Video does NOT show Fulani boy eating human flesh

Many users appeared to believe the claim, linking it to the widespread insecurity and spate of kidnappings across Nigeria, which is often attributed to armed herdsmen or Fulani militia.

 

CLAIM

Video shows ransom being prepared for Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria.

 

THE FINDINGS

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING as the video depicts the money recovered from some corrupt Nigerian police officers indicted for extorting some corps members in 2024.

In recent years, Nigeria has experienced several cases of kidnapping-for-ransom incidents, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions. These attacks are frequently blamed on armed groups, including suspected herdsmen and bandits, who abduct victims and demand huge sums in exchange for their release.

Screenshot of the X post. Insert: MISLEADING verdict.

According to Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), households paid ₦2.23 trillion ($1.48 billion– using N1504 CBN rate) in ransom between May 2023 and April 2024. The NBS’s Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey reported 51.89 million crime incidents during this period, with the Northwest recording the highest cases.

Data from SBM Intelligence show that since 2019, Nigeria has witnessed 735 mass abductions till date. Between July 2022 and June 2023 alone, 3,620 people were abducted in 582 cases, with about ₦5 billion ($3.3 million) paid in ransom within the period.

A reverse image search using keyframes from the video via Google Lens revealed that the footage is not connected to any ransom payment for Fulani herdsmen. Instead, the video was first posted by the Nigerian activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, via X on November 5, 2024.

It shows the recovery of ₦10 million in cash extorted from a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) by some police officers in Bayelsa State.

In the original video shared on X on November 5, 2024, Gwamnishu wrote:

*₦10,000,000.00 CASH RECOVERY FROM POLICE OFFICERS FROM ZONE 16, BAYELSA STATE…”

He noted that the cash was retrieved from the police after some of their officers harassed and extorted corps members along the East-West Road, a known flashpoint for police misconduct.

ALSO READ: Nigerian influencer makes false claims about Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) confirmed the incident in a statement issued by the Force spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on November 8, 2024. The statement revealed that the four officers involved were Emmanuel Ubong, Nse Okon, Adiewere Collins, and Kuromare Marine.

They were responsible for the extortion, and the money was recovered through the intervention of the then Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 16, Adebola Hamzat. Recall that Hamzat was later promoted to a Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police and has been appointed to head the NPF’s Department of Logistics and Supply (DLS).

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that the video shows ransom being prepared for Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria is MISLEADING; the video actually depicts the recovery of ₦10 million extorted by some corrupt police officers from NYSC members in Bayelsa State in 2024.

IFCN announces speakers for Global Fact 12

Nurudeen Akewushola
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IFCN announces speakers for Global Fact 12

THE International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at the Poynter Institute has announced keynote speakers for the 12th edition of Global Fact-checking Summit.

The world’s largest fact-checking summit, scheduled for June 25 – 27 will be hosted at Fundação Getulio Vargas Comunicação in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The conference will feature Brazilian jurists, Alexandre de Moraes and Cármen Lúcia, as well as Attorney General, Jorge Messias, a statement by the IFCN stated.

It will also feature journalists Patricia Campos Mello, Jaime Abello and Laura Zommer, who will discuss information integrity, democracy, technology and human rights.

They will speak on Brazil’s experiences with disinformation and the rule of law.

READ THIS: Global fact-checkers grapple with harassment, cyberattacks and financial instability – Report

This year’s edition is hosted in partnership with four Brazilian fact-checking organizations — Aos Fatos, Estadão Verifica, Lupa, UOL Confere — and with Fundação Getulio Vargas Comunicação.

Alexandre de Moraes is a Minister of the Federal Supreme Court and served as President of the Superior Electoral Court from 2022 to 2024, overseeing Brazil’s general elections. He previously served as Minister of Justice and Public Security, and held state-level roles as Secretary of Public Security and Secretary of Justice and Citizenship. In 2005, he joined the first composition of the National Council of Justice. He is a full professor of constitutional law at the University of São Paulo and the Presbyterian University Mackenzie.

Cármen Lúcia is a Minister of the Federal Supreme Court, having served as President of the Court and of the National Council of Justice from 2016 to 2018. She also held the positions of Minister and President of the Superior Electoral Court from 2008 to 2013. In June 2024, she took office as President of the Electoral Court. She is a full professor of constitutional law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais.

Jorge Messias is Brazil’s Attorney General of the Union, appointed in 2023 by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. A career public servant, he has served as a National Treasury Attorney since 2007 and held senior legal roles across the federal government. Messias holds a law degree from the Federal University of Pernambuco and both a master’s and doctorate from the University of Brasília, with academic work focused on development, society and international cooperation.

De Moraes, Lúcia and Messias will speak to Brazil’s experiences with disinformation and the rule of law.

Patrícia Campos Mello is an award-winning journalist and columnist at Folha de S.Paulo in Brazil, known for her reporting on disinformation, digital violence and global crises. She has covered stories in over 50 countries, including conflicts in Syria and Iraq and the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone. Her investigation into WhatsApp disinformation during Brazil’s 2018 election drew international acclaim. She holds a journalism degree from the University of São Paulo and a master’s from NYU. Campos Mello is the author of “Lua de Mel em Kobane” and “A Máquina do Ódio.”

Laura Zommer is the co-founder of Factchequeado in the United States, as well as the former director and editor-in-chief at Chequeado of Argentina. Zommer was the creator of LatamChequea, the largest regional fact-checking network that brings together more than 30 media platforms in 15 countries across Latin America. She is a former member of the IFCN advisory board, and currently is a Knight Fellow at the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).

Jaime Abello Banfi is general director and co-founder of the Fundación Gabo, an organization created in 1994 in Cartagena by author, Gabriel García Márquez, a Nobel Laureate in Literature in 1982.

ALSO READ: Disinformation in Brazil election: Lessons for Nigeria ahead of 2023 polls

Its mission is to promote better journalism and stimulate creativity, with an emphasis on the workshop method and the founder’s memory. Before joining the Gabo Foundation, Jaime was, from 1990 to 1994, the Director-Manager of Telecaribe, the regional public television channel of the Colombian Caribbean.

He graduated from the Law Faculty of Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá but has dedicated his professional life to journalism, film, communication, and cultural management.

Campos Mello, Zommer and Abello will speak about fact-checking journalism, human rights, technology and the challenges of creating an informed future society.

False claim circulates on X about military coup in Ivory Coast

Abdullahi Muritala
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False claim circulates on X about military coup in Ivory Coast

A claim that there is a recent military coup in Ivory Coast, with alleged reports of gunfire in Abidjan and the likely disappearance of President Alassane Ouattara has circulated online.

The claim, shared by an X user, @VDMEmpire, read:

“Military coup going on in Ivory Coast, Democratic elected President, Allassane Ouattara, might have been k!lled after hundreds of soldiers loyal to him were eliminated in a fierce gun battle”

The post has garnered over 350,000 views with more than 8,000 likes and over 1,500 reposts as of May 23, 2025.

READ THIS: Video does not show Nigerian army ready to attack Niger Republic

A similar post was also shared earlier by another X user, @_nonconformist1; thus showing how the narrative has spread. His post read: “Ivory Coast is literally burning. President has gone missing! A coup!”

 

CLAIM

There is a recent military coup in Ivory Coast.

 

THE FINDINGS

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE, as multiple credible media organisations and an Ivorian journalist debunked the claim.

Screenshot of the post retrieved from X inserted FALSE VERDICT
Screenshot of the post retrieved from X. Insert: FALSE verdict.

In recent years, West and Central Africa have witnessed a surge in military coups, shaking regional stability. Since 2020, countries like Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon etc have experienced successful coup d’états, often justified by the military as responses to insecurity, corruption, or governance failures.

These coups have drawn international condemnation but also gained some popular support locally due to growing frustration with civilian governments. The trend has raised concerns about democratic backsliding across the African continent and the weakening of constitutional order.

To verify the claim, our fact-checker independently contacted Mohamed Diarrassi, a journalist with PesaCheck in Ivory Coast, who confirmed that the claim is FALSE. He stressed that multiple news platforms have debunked the claim including a news agency here.

ALSO READ: Is Gabon a West African country?

Additionally, our fact-checker reviewed other credible news outlets and found out that the alleged coup in the West African nation is FALSE, as seen here. A review of the official X handle of President Ouattara showed that the Ivorian president participated actively in the UNESCO Félix Houphouët-Boigny Prize Award Ceremony held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, as seen on his X livestream.

Similarly, Liberia Public Radio’s correspondent in Abidjan, Benjamin Tegbeh, confirmed that reports of gunfire and the death of a military general in Ivory Coast were FALSE. He noted that residents were going about their normal activities and that there was no unusual military presence observed in the country.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that there is a recent military coup in Ivory Coast is FALSE; multiple media reports and journalists in Abidjan debunked the alleged military coup in the West African nation.

IFCN condemns harassment of Tempo journalists, urges protection for independent media

Abdullahi Muritala
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IFCN condemns harassment of Tempo journalists, urges protection for independent media

The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) has condemned unequivocally a series of escalating threats and harassment targeted at Indonesia’s Tempo media group, one of its signatories, calling on authorities to protect the safety and rights of journalists in the Southeast Asian country.

Tempo, a prominent independent and nonpartisan news organisation known for its accountability journalism, has come under intense pressure in recent weeks, a statement released by the global fact-checking body on Friday, May 23, 2025 noted.

DON’T MISS THIS: IFCN condemns Serbian police raid on CRTA

Recall that in March 2025, the outlet’s Jakarta office was targeted with disturbing acts of intimidation – first a severed pig’s head was delivered on March 19, 2025 followed by decapitated rats three days later. 

Also in April this year, Tempo suffered major cyber attacks that disrupted the distribution of its reports.

The IFCN’s statement noted that the threats coincided with a wave of political rhetoric and public demonstrations. Indonesian president, Prabowo Subianto, had alleged that foreign-funded media were attempting to “divide” the country, which was followed by protests outside Indonesia’s Press Council, where demonstrators demanded action against Tempo.

“Such harassment can have chilling effects on independent journalism, including the work of fact-checkers,” part of the statement read, adding that Tempo’s work is vital to democracy.

Tempo’s fact-checking unit has been a signatory to the IFCN’s Code of Principles since 2018, having passed rigorous assessments on transparency, methodology, and independence. IFCN emphasized that all signatories voluntarily commit to uphold universal standards of nonpartisan journalism.

ALSO READ: Global fact-checkers grapple with harassment, cyberattacks and financial instability – Report

“These orchestrated intimidation campaigns must end. Tempo deserves to continue publishing the explanatory journalism and reporting that holds power to account, without fear of reprisal,” it stated.

The IFCN, which operates under the Poynter Institute and supports fact-checking initiatives worldwide, publicly condemns these orchestrated intimidation campaigns against journalists in Indonesia and urged Indonesian authorities to act swiftly “to ensure the safety and basic rights of all media representatives, particularly those facing explicit threats.”

Did IMF COVID-19 loan force Nigeria to remove fuel subsidy, devalue naira?

Fatimah Quadri
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Did IMF COVID-19 loan force Nigeria to remove fuel subsidy, devalue naira?

A claim that Nigeria removed fuel subsidy and devalued its currency as part of the conditions for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan it obtained during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic has circulated on X (formerly Twitter).

An X user, @_moussa_ibrahim, posted the video with a caption thus: “The IMF got its $3.4B from Nigeria but what did Nigerians get?”

In the video, the claimant was seen criticizing Nigeria’s recent repayment of a $3.4 billion loan to the IMF, arguing that while the country may have cleared its financial debt, it continues to bear a heavy social and economic burden.

READ THIS: Buhari’s GDP growth rate contradicts figures from CBN, IMF, others in Democracy Day speech

He claimed that the loan, obtained during the COVID-19 pandemic, came with stringent conditions such as the removal of fuel subsidies, currency devaluation, and policies promoting greater foreign interference.

The audio transcribed below read:

“…Nigeria just finished paying back $3.4 billion to the IMF , The International Monetary Fund, Great Right, Nope let me break it down. We got the money during covid just like many other African and Global south countries. Then came the conditions, remove fuel subsidies, devalue the national currency, open the economy for more foreign control, what followed Hunger protests broken systems, Now they are clapping because the debt is paid off but what about the social debt, the schools unfunded, the food unaffordable, the IMF is not here to help us, its here to restructure us into obedience. Nigeria paid back the money but the real cost was our sovereignty…”

The video post has garnered more than 93,000 views, plus over 4,000 likes, and more than 2,700 reposts as of May 23, 2025.

Recall that on May 8, 2025, multiple international and local media reported that Nigeria had fully repaid the $3.4 billion emergency loan it received from the IMF in 2020 to manage the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

CLAIM 

IMF COVID-19 loan was given to Nigeria with conditions like currency devaluation and fuel subsidy removal.

 

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE, as the COVID funding was issued under its Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) which does not require IMF conditionality.

In April 2020, amid the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a sharp decline in global oil prices, Nigeria secured $3.4 billion in emergency financing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under its Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) .

The facility was designed to provide rapid financial assistance to countries facing urgent balance of payments needs without the requirement of a full-fledged economic programme.

Screenshot of the appearance of the claim on X; INSERT False verdict
Screenshot of the video post on X. Insert: FALSE verdict.

Notably, the RFI does not impose traditional IMF conditionality or structural reform mandates. However, recipient countries were expected to outline their policy intentions to address underlying economic challenges.

The RFI is characterized by its swift disbursement and absence of ex-post conditionality. However, recipient countries were expected to cooperate with the IMF to address balance of payments difficulties, outline general economic policies they intend to pursue and commit to transparency and accountability in the use of funds.

In Nigeria’s case, the federal government pledged to enhance transparency by publishing procurement plans and conducting independent audits of COVID-19-related expenditures, implement fiscal measures to create space for priority spending, including health and social protection, and avoid central bank financing of the budget to maintain macroeconomic stability.

DON’T MISS THIS:  Old video of NNPCL boss denying payment of fuel subsidy resurfaces online

While the RFI itself did not mandate specific policy changes, Nigeria undertook multiple significant economic reforms post-disbursement such as the fuel subsidy removal and the devaluation of the currency.

It’s important to note that these reforms were domestic policy decisions, Premium Times reported. The IMF clarified that while it provides policy advice, the implementation of such reforms is at the discretion of the Nigerian government.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that the IMF COVID-19 loan was given to Nigeria with conditions like currency devaluation and fuel subsidy removal is FALSE; the Nigerian government implemented key economic reforms including the removal of fuel subsidy and currency devaluation at its discretion.

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