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Video does not show Atiku dancing at Wizkid’s concert 

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Video does not show Atiku dancing at Wizkid’s concert 

AN X user, @Innocent_Zikky, has posted a video showing a man dancing at a party with a claim that it shows former Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, dancing at a music show hosted by the Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly called Wizkid.

He posted the video with a caption thus: “You remember when Atiku attended Wizkid’s show?“ 

READ: Burna Boy, Wizkid NOT the first Nigerians to win Grammy

The post has garnered over 320,000 views with more than 7,000 likes, over 600 reposts and over 300 bookmarks as of March 5, 2025.

Similarly, another X account, @MachalaDoctor, also posted the same video with another caption that read:

“Former vice president of Nigeria Atiku Vibing to Wizkid in his Tottenham concert.”

The post has also gained some traction on the X platform.

 

CLAIM 

Video shows Atiku Abubakar dancing at a Wizkid concert. 

 

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING, as the man in the video is not Atiku Abubakar while the Wizkid concert was held in July 2023 and not recently.

Our fact-checker ran a keyword search with “atiku at wizkid concert” on the X platform and the results show that the same X account had earlier posted the video in May 2024 and again in June 2024.

Another X user, @shegzedon, also posted the same video in June 2024 with another misleading caption that read: “Atiku at Wizkid’s Tottenham concert.”

Screenshot of the viral video post on X. INSERT: MISLEADING verdict.

The video was attributed to the Wizkid concert, “More Love, Less Ego,” which was held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England on July 29, 2023. There’s no publicly available record that shows that Atiku attended the concert.

ALSO READ: False claim circulates that Atiku is retiring from politics, congratulates Tinubu

Further analysis of the man’s facial features in the video revealed that he is not the former vice president. Atiku Abubakar has a narrow, slightly elongated nose, whereas the man in the video has a broader nose.

A clear frame showing the face of the man in the viral video seen on X.

Additionally, Atiku is taller, while the man in the video has a stockier physique. The man’s appearance also suggests he is younger, in contrast to Atiku, who is already 78 years old.

Atiku Abubakar, former Nigerian Vice President.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that the video shows Atiku Abubakar dancing at a Wizkid concert is MISLEADING; the man in the video is a completely different person while the Wizkid concert was held in July 2023 and not recently.

Nigeria is NOT the cheapest country to live in Africa 

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Nigeria is NOT the cheapest country to live in Africa 

AN X user, @jeffphilips1, has claimed that Nigeria is the cheapest country to live in Africa.

He posted the claim with a caption thus: 

“Yet the cheapest country to live in Africa still remains Nigeria. Google to fact-check it, it’s there.”

READ: Has any Nigerian civil servant received the new minimum wage?

The post has generated more than 700,000 views, with over 500 reposts and more than 2,000 likes as of March 4, 2025.

CLAIM 

Nigeria is the cheapest country to live in Africa.

 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE., as the most recent data show that Libya is the cheapest country to live in Africa.

Cost of living, the financial requirement to sustain a basic standard of living like food, housing, healthcare, and transportation etc, is the yardstick for determining how cheap or costly a country is to live in. 

According to Investopedia, Cost of living data includes the expenses incurred for food, shelter, transportation, energy, clothing, education, healthcare, childcare, and entertainment. It noted that a cost of living index tracks how much basic expenses for these categories rise over time and in different regions.

A screenshot showing the X post. INSERT: FALSE verdict.
A screenshot showing the X post. INSERT: FALSE verdict.

“It can demonstrate how need-based expenses vary from one area to another. The costs of consumer goods and services vary between urban and suburban residential areas,” it stated.

In Africa, it’s a key factor for individuals and businesses when choosing where to settle, analysts say.

DON’T MISS THIS: How much does Nigeria spend yearly to maintain, repair pipelines?

The Cost of Living Index (CLI) is the metric for measuring the relative expense of living in different countries by analyzing the prices of essential goods and services, excluding rent.

A lower CLI indicates a more affordable cost of living, meaning people can meet their basic needs with less money, while a higher CLI suggests higher expenses and financial strain. The index is often used to compare economic conditions across countries or cities and assess affordability trends over time. When rent is included, a separate index—such as the Cost of Living Plus Rent Index—provides a more comprehensive picture of living expenses.

Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database, provides data on the cost of living, housing, healthcare, crime, pollution, traffic, and other economic indicators across cities and countries. It also allows users to compare living expenses worldwide.

It is not unlikely that the X user relied on the data supplied by the platform in January 2024, which ranked Nigeria as the country with the lowest Cost of Living Index (19.0). The data was also reported by Business Day. This is perhaps because it is the top result when such a query is searched on Google.com. 

However, findings by The FactCheckHub show that Nigeria has lost that position since mid-2024 and dropped to the 12th position after its CLI increased to 31.4. 

According to the 2025 data, Libya is the country with the lowest cost of Living in Africa with a CLI of 18.6, followed by Egypt (19.0) and Madagascar (20.7) while Nigeria is 7th with a CLI of 26.4. 

When the cost of house rent is factored in, Libya maintains its first position in Africa with a CLI of 12.1 while Nigeria dips further to the 18th position with a CLI of 24.4.

Further checks affirm that Nigeria is not the cheapest country with the lowest cost of living as another recent 2025 data published by WorldData.info  puts the country in the 10th position in Africa.

In its “Comparison of worldwide cost of living” report, Egypt ranks 1st in Africa with a CLI of 18.2, followed by Zimbabwe, Libya, Tanzania, Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritania, Kenya and Lesotho. The report says it based the calculated cost of living index on the OECD, the Worldbank, the IMF and Eurostat figures.

ALSO READ: Video does not show French military deployment in Nigeria

This may not be unconnected to the economic hardships in the country fuelled by tough policies by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Nigerian government, such as the removal of fuel and electricity subsidies and the floating of the naira, which have triggered inflation and worsened the nation’s cost of living.

The removal of subsidies led to soaring fuel prices, which increased transportation costs and, in turn, drove up the prices of goods and services. Meanwhile, the floating of the naira caused a sharp depreciation of the currency, making imports more expensive and further fueling inflation. As a result, the purchasing power of Nigerians has significantly declined, making necessities such as food, housing, healthcare, and education more difficult to afford.

 

THE VERDICT 

The claim that Nigeria is the cheapest country to live in Africa is FALSE, recent data show that Libya is the cheapest country to live in Africa, followed by Egypt, Madagascar, Algeria, Tunisia and Uganda while Nigeria takes 7th position.

UK still on US visa waiver programme but Nigeria was never included

Abdullahi Muritala
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UK still on US visa waiver programme but Nigeria was never included

AN X user, @nigeriastories, has claimed that the United States has excluded the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and others from visa-free entry for 2025.

“BREAKING NEWS: USA excludes UK, Nigeria  and others from visa-free entry for 2025,” the post read.

READ: False claim circulates that no Igbo among Nigeria’s new Service Chiefs

The post has garnered over 820,000 views, plus more than 6,000 likes, over 500 comments and over 1,000 reposts as of March 4, 2025.

 

CLAIM

United States has excluded the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and others from visa-free entry for 2025.

 

THE FINDINGS

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE, as Nigeria was never included in the U.S. visa waiver programme, though United Kingdom (UK) has always been on the list.

The U.S. Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) allows citizens of other countries to travel to the United States without a visa for up to 90 days.

A screenshot showing the X post. INSERT: FALSE verdict.
A screenshot showing the X post. INSERT: FALSE verdict.

A Reuters report published in January 2025, revealed that Romania was added to the eligible countries by the U.S. as part of a plan to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two countries after meeting stringent security conditions. According to the report, Romania is the 43rd country to join the programme.

To verify the claim, our fact-checker checked the website of the U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS, an agency in charge of U.S. immigration laws and affairs. A report on the website shows that the United Kingdom remains on this VWP list and has not been excluded from the programme.

Although, there are recent alterations on the Visa Waiver Programme that affects both UK and Taiwan. For the United Kingdom, the VWP applies to individuals with an unrestricted right of permanent abode in both countries.

It added that “to be eligible to travel under the VWP, British citizens must have the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.”

For Taiwan, it stated: “With respect to all references to “country” or “countries” on this page, it should be noted that the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Pub. L. No. 96-8, Section 4(b)(1), provides that “[w]henever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to Taiwan.” 22 U.S.C. § 3303(b)(1). Accordingly, all references to “country” or “countries” in the Visa Waiver Program authorizing legislation, Section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1187, are read to include Taiwan. This is consistent with the United States’ one-China policy, under which the United States has maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan since 1979.”

ALSO READ: False claim circulates online that Nigerians will now pay $15,000 bond to get US visa

Since the U.S. Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) was established in 1986 as a pilot programme to facilitate tourism and business travel, Nigeria has never been included.

However, Romania was added to the most recent updates to the programme, but there are no official reports or announcements indicating the removal of the United Kingdom or any other participating country.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that the United States has excluded the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and others from visa-free entry for 2025 is FALSE. Reports show that Nigeria has never made the list while the UK and Taiwan that are purportedly stripped off remain on the list of eligible countries but with additional conditions.

No, Kaduna has generated foreign investment since El-Rufai left office

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
No, Kaduna has generated foreign investment since El-Rufai left office

AN X user, @xagreat, has claimed that Kaduna State has not attracted a single Foreign Direct Investment since its former governor, Nasir El-Rufai, left office in May 2023.

The post read:

“Since Elrufai left office, Kaduna state has not attracted a single Foreign Direct Investment. This is what you call retrogression. We will retire Uba Sani in 2027 to rescue Kaduna from further sinking.” 

READ: Fact-checking El-Rufai’s claims on Tinubu-led govt, APC

The post has generated over 14,000 views with more than 200 likes and 80 reposts as of March 2, 2025.

 

CLAIM

Kaduna has not attracted Foreign Direct Investment after El-Rufai left office.

 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) refers to investments made by individuals or companies from one country into business ventures in another, typically involving ownership or significant control of assets.

Screenshot of the claim retrieved from X. INSERT: FALSE verdict.
Screenshot of the claim retrieved from X. INSERT: FALSE verdict.

Unlike portfolio investments, which involve passive ownership of financial securities, FDI often entails the establishment of factories, offices, or other physical operations, bringing direct economic engagement. It is a key driver of globalization, enabling capital, technology, and expertise to flow across borders and fostering business expansion and economic integration.

For states in Nigeria, FDI plays a crucial role in economic development by injecting much-needed capital into various sectors, leading to job creation and industrial growth. Many states struggle with underdeveloped infrastructure, limited economic diversification, and high unemployment rates, all of which FDI can help address. 

ALSO READ: False claims that El-Rufai defects to PDP circulate on X

When foreign investors establish businesses or form partnerships, they bring new technologies, skills, and management practices that enhance productivity and competitiveness. This leads to broader economic benefits, including increased government revenue through taxation and improved access to global markets.

According to the Capital Importation report for the first three quarters of 2024 published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in December 2024, Kaduna was the only northern state to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to the tune of $1.95 million. 

The report revealed that Nigeria’s total capital importation in the first nine months of the year was $7.1 billion.

 

THE VERDICT 

The claim that Kaduna state has not attracted a single foreign investment since El-Rufai left office is FALSE; NBS data show that the state attracted FDI to the tune of $1.95 million in Q3 of 2024.

 

EDITOR’S NOTE:

The feature image has been changed to show the map of Kaduna State in Nigeria.

False claim circulates about countries with the most kidnapping cases

Fatimah Quadri
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0
False claim circulates about countries with the most kidnapping cases

THE claim that certain countries have the highest rates of kidnappings has been circulating on social media.

The claim was made in a post by a TikTok user, @Jacobmhoff, in a 69-second video.

In the video, he stated that Mexico, India and Nigeria are the three countries with the most kidnapping cases in the world.

READ THIS: Nigeria does NOT have the highest rape rate in the world

Part of the audio transcribed reads:

Top three countries with the most kidnappings, Number three is Mexico, who is shocked nobody because we all know Mexico is somebody’s problem, there’s great culture, cuisine [redacted] running around ruining the culture. There’s great culture cuisine people in Mexico and these people are getting in the way… Number two is India, India has got a lot of kidnapping … and number one there is [redacted] Nigeria.

The TikTok video has garnered over 14,000 likes plus more than 1,400 comments, and over 400 reposts as of March 2, 2025.

Due to the sensitive nature of the claim The FactCheckHub decided to fact-check the veracity of the claim.

 

CLAIM

Mexico, India and Nigeria are countries with the most kidnappings in the world.

 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE!

Screenshot of the claim; Insert FALSE verdict
Screenshot of the claim as shared on TikTok. Insert: FALSE verdict.

A 2024 report by the World Population Review on kidnappings per country highlighted the 10 countries with the highest kidnapping rates.

According to the data, Turkey, Lebanon, and Kuwait ranked as the top three countries, with incident rates of 42.669, 15.384, and 12.69 per 100,000 people, respectively.

A 2023 report by Insider Monkey, which ranked 30 countries with the highest kidnapping rates, also listed Turkey, Lebanon, and Kuwait as the top three, using the same statistics.

Additionally, news reports by CEO World Biz and BusinessDay highlighted these countries as having the highest kidnapping rates globally.

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

However, further checks revealed that a 2013 Business Insider report ranked Mexico as the country with the highest kidnapping rate, followed by India, with Nigeria being the third among the top three countries with the most kidnappings that year.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that  Mexico, India and Nigeria are countries with the most kidnappings in the world is FALSE; data show that Turkey, Lebanon and Kuwait are the top three countries with the most kidnappings in the world as of 2024.

Fact-checking El-Rufai’s claims on Tinubu-led govt, APC

Abdullahi Muritala and Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
Fact-checking El-Rufai’s claims on Tinubu-led govt, APC

A former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, appeared recently on Arise TV to discuss his political future, including his views on the current state of the nation and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.

This is likely his first formal LIVE TV interview since he left public office as Kaduna governor in May 2023.

Recall that after Tinubu was sworn in as the Nigerian president in May 2023, he nominated 48 people for ministerial positions including El-Rufai. But the Senate rejected the former governor and two others, citing security reasons.

READ THIS: How El-Rufai’s arrest during 2013 Anambra election spurs misinformation online in 2023

Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, explained that the rejected nominees would be subjected to further security checks, urging them to take the matter to Tinubu.

After his rejection by the Senate, El-Rufai later told the president that he was no longer interested in being a minister.

During the live interview, El-Rufai addressed speculations about his strained relationship with President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) and what led to his failed attempt to work with the current administration.

This fact-check examines the veracity of some of the claims he made during the Arise TV interview.

 

CLAIM 1 

I have never said a word about Tinubu’s administration.

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MOSTLY FALSE, as he has made few remarks about Tinubu-led Nigerian government since his failed ministerial bid.

For instance, Premium Times reported on April 15, 2024 that he advised Tinubu to drop any of his appointees who failed to deliver on his mandate.

El-Rufai said this when he spoke with journalists in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital urging the president to also explore the possibility of amending some of his policies that were not yielding the desired results.

He was quoted as saying “You appointed a person into a position and he is not working according to the expectation, you should have the humility to tell him that I need a better person, go and do something else.”

El-Rufai during an altercation with Daniel Bwala, a presidential media aide, on X also made some comments indirectly directed at Tinubu’s presidency.

For instance, he described Bwala and others working as Tinubu’s aides as “latter-day converts” to the government and took a swipe at some pro-government voices, alleging that certain individuals were being paid from security votes to defend the administration’s actions online, PUNCH reported.

He further stated that had he remained in the Tinubu government, his criticisms would have remained unchanged.

“If I had remained in the Tinubu government, I will say or do the same on the tragedy within a party I was a founder, and the government that emerged from it—first in private sessions with those concerned, and then go public if no remedial actions are taken. Go and check my public service record from 1998,” he stated.

THE VERDICT

The claim that El-Rufai has never made any public comment on Tinubu’s administration is MOSTLY FALSE; findings show instances where he made remarks directed at the Tinubu presidency.

 

CLAIM 2

⁠APC as a party has not met for 2 years.

THE FINDINGS 

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

The All Progressives Congress (APC) last convened a national-level meeting in August 2023, thus making it 18 months since the party held the meeting.

This was when its former chairman,  Abdullahi Adamu and Secretary, Iyiola Omisore were forced to resign their positions, with Abdullahi Ganduje and Senator Ajibola Bashiru endorsed to pilot the affairs of the party.

Meanwhile, the APC on February 25, 2025, held its National Caucus meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. This was followed by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on February 26, 2025 at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.

THE VERDICT

The claim that APC has not held NEC meeting in the last two years is MOSTLY TRUE.

 

CLAIM 3 

⁠Anybody above 35  with a secondary certificate is qualified to be president.

THE FINDINGS 

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

The 1999 Nigerian Constitution stipulates specific criteria for presidential eligibility.

This requires that the individual must be a citizen of Nigeria by birth, have attained the age of 35 years (reduced from 40 years by the “Not Too Young to Run” Act in 2018), be a member of a political party and sponsored by that party, and have been educated up to at least the Secondary School Certificate level or its equivalent.

THE VERDICT

The claim that ⁠anybody above 35 with a secondary school certificate is qualified to be president is MOSTLY TRUE. While it reflects the age range and educational requirements, it omits the necessity for the candidate to be a member of a political party and be sponsored by that party. Independent candidacy is not currently recognized for the presidential position in Nigeria.

 

CLAIM 4

⁠APC constitution states that if there is going to be a convention meeting of the party there should be 14 to 21 notices sent across.

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is TRUE.

The Article 25 (B) (i) and (ii) of the APC constitution states that “The National Executive Committee shall meet every quarter and or at any time decided by the National Chairman or at the request made in writing by at least two-third of the members of the National Executive Committee provided that not less that fourteen (14) days notice is given for the meeting to be summoned.”

THE VERDICT 

The claim that the APC constitution provides that there should be 14 days or more before the NEC meeting is TRUE.

 

CLAIM 5

⁠Kaduna State earned about ₦900 billion in 8 years and the National Assembly claims 45% disappeared.

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE

The Kaduna State House of Assembly’s ad-hoc committee has been actively investigating alleged financial misappropriations during El-Rufai’s administration from 2015 to 2023.

In June 2024, the committee presented a report accusing the El-Rufai administration of siphoning approximately ₦423 billion and recommended further investigation into these allegations.

ALSO READ: No, EFCC did not raid Bello El-Rufai’s residence

According to the report, it revealed that the total revenue (Loans, FAAC, IGR, Grants, Refunds and Intervention) received by the Kaduna State Government from May 29, 2015 to May 29, 2023 amounted to N1.4 trillion and  $758.1 million.

THE VERDICT

The claim that Kaduna state earned ₦900 billion is FALSE; findings show that the state earned ₦1.4 trillion and $758.1 million during the period.

 

CLAIM 6

⁠ICPC has been inviting people from the El-Rufai-led government for the alleged missing ₦423 billion and two persons have been charged over missing N64 million and N115 million respectively.

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is HALF-TRUE.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) on January 16, 2025 announced the arraignment of three officials of the El-Rufai administration as part of the ongoing investigation of alleged ₦423 billion embezzlement.

The report indicted three ex-appointees are Lawal Shakiru Olajimi Adebisi, a former Senior Special Adviser/Counsellor to former governor, El-Rufai, the Ex-Accountant General of Kaduna State,  Umar Waziri, and Yusuf Inuwa, the former Finance Commissioner in the state.

Lawal and two others were accused of diverting the total sum of ₦64,800,562 (Sixty-Four Million, Eight Hundred Thousand, Five-hundred and Sixty-two Naira) to the bank account of Solar Life Nigeria Limited where Lawal is believed to be the sole signatory.

ICPC had already arraigned a former Chief of Staff and Commissioner of Finance in Kaduna State, Muhammad Bashir Sa’idu, over a money laundering suit.

The ICPC, in a two-count charge, also filed before the Federal High Court in Kaduna, accused Saidu of accepting a cash payment of ₦155,000,000 from Ibrahim Muktar, a public officer in the Ministry of Finance.

According to this report, three of his former appointees were arraigned not two persons as El-Rufai claimed. Also, the second person was charged over missing ₦155 million higher than the figure he mentioned.

THE VERDICT

The claim that two persons were arraigned and were charged with ₦64 million and ₦115 million respectively is HALF-TRUE; findings show that three of his former aides were arraigned while the figure for which one of them was charged is ₦155 million which is higher than the ₦115 million claimed by the former governor.

 

CLAIM 7

⁠EFCC has investigated and found nothing incriminating from the El-Rufai-led administration.

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub revealed that the claim is UNPROVEN.

As of February 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has not officially confirmed any active investigation into the El-Rufai-led administration.

However, multiple petitions have been submitted to the EFCC and the ICPC concerning alleged financial misappropriations during El-Rufai’s tenure, the Vanguard reported.

In December 2024, rumours circulated about an EFCC raid on the residence of El-Rufai’s son, Bello, alleging the discovery of large sums of money and drugs. Both the EFCC and Bello El-Rufai denied these claims, labelling them as false and misleading respectively.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the EFCC has investigated the El-Rufai-led administration and found nothing incriminating is UNPROVEN; despite receiving multiple petitions, EFCC is yet to release any information regarding its investigations on the former governor. Most importantly, it is unclear if the anti-graft agency found anything incriminating in its investigation.

 

CLAIM 8

⁠El-Rufai donated 50% of his salary to government coffers in his first administration.

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is TRUE. 

Upon assuming office as the Governor of Kaduna State in May 2015, Nasir El-Rufai announced a 50% reduction in his and his deputy’s salaries.

According to Daily Trust, this decision was driven by the state’s challenging financial situation, characterized by significant debts and limited resources. Then, El-Rufai emphasized the importance of leading by example, stating that such personal sacrifices were necessary to inspire collective efforts toward economic recovery and development.

DON’T MISS THIS: Fact-checking multiple claims by El-Rufai at ministerial screening

Also in April 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, El-Rufai implemented salary reductions for public servants and political appointees to address the financial challenges posed by the pandemic. Senior government appointees, including commissioners, permanent secretaries, special advisers, and heads of agencies, experienced a 50% salary cut.

THE VERDICT

The claim that El-Rufai donated 50% of his salaries to the state government is TRUE; as media reports corroborated this claim.

Video does not show stampede incident in Ogun State

Fatimah Quadri
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0
Video does not show stampede incident in Ogun State

AN X user, @Unabombaar, has posted a claim about a stampede and property damaged at a free outreach event by a bakery in Ogun State.

The claim was posted alongside a 17-second video which shows a crowded environment with many people gathered. Some individuals are seen on the roof of a building, which suddenly collapses, causing them to fall down. Multiple voices were also heard in the background.

READ THIS: Doctored image showing Wole Soyinka as hunter circulates online

The caption on the video post read:

A bakery at Ogun announced that they are giving bread for free. So, because of the “Ebinpawa” pandemic in Yoruba land in the South West, the crowd was too much to control. People climbed on the roof of the bakery just to beg for bread and they ended up destroying the building.
The post has garnered about 1 million views with over 1,700 likes, more than 900 reposts, plus over 500 comments and bookmarked more than 600 times as of February 27, 2025.
Another X user, @DrOaikhena, also posted the claim, with another caption thus:
These are the suffering Nigerians. Are the Yorubas enjoying a better Nigeria?
It has also garnered a significant traction on the X platform.

CLAIM

Video shows people scrambling for breads in Ogun State.

 

THE FINDINGS

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE!

Screenshot of the claim; Insert FALSE verdict
Screenshot of the claim; Insert FALSE verdict

When analyzing the video, our researcher noticed an Instagram (IG) watermark with the username: hadinaveed2031 on the clip.

A search for this username on Instagram led to the user’s profile on IG, where we observed a pattern of posting sensitive content.

When we subjected screenshots from the video to a Google Lens search, we found previous appearances of the video on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, as seen here, here, here, and here. Notably, the audio in the original video differed from the one posted by the claimant on X.

The earliest appearance of the video was in July 2024. One of the versions had a caption in a different language. When translated using Google Translate, the original language was detected as Kannada and translated as follows:

Today, an incident occurred during the farewell of Ballari Server Hussain.

Other versions of the video were found with captions such as: “Bellary Muharram Incident 2024,” “Sarvar Husaini Bellary,” and “Muharram Incident in Edga, Bellary.”

One of the captions read:

“Today, an incident occurred during the farewell of Sarvar Husaini in Bellary. Many injuries were reported. Some individuals suffered broken legs, while one person sustained a head injury. Pray for their recovery.”

When “Bellary” was entered into the Google search engine, the results indicated that Ballari is a city in India, where Kannada is the primary language spoken.

ALSO READ: Arise News, X users disseminate old video of Yoruba Nation’s rally as recent

Although, The FactCheckHub could not independently verify the cause of the stampede, it was deduced that the incident took place in India and not in Ogun State, Nigeria as claimed in the X post.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that the video shows people scrambling for breads in Ogun State is FALSE; the stampede incident took place in Bellary (presently Ballari) District, India.

Misinformation deters 62% of Nigerian youths from participating in politics – Report

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
Misinformation deters 62% of Nigerian youths from participating in politics – Report

A new report by TechCabal has revealed that 62 per cent of young Nigerians are discouraged from participating in Nigerian politics due to misinformation.

The report titled: “Citizen Report 2025” and produced by TechCabal Insights and The Citizen by Zikoko team found that misinformation is widespread, with 94 per cent of respondents encountering false narratives about political events, mostly on social media.

This trend, according to the report, is fueling distrust in institutions and weakening democratic participation.

The report, launched on February 25, 2025 at the Citizen Townhall event in Abuja, states that disinformation campaigns often peak during critical moments, such as elections and protests, to manipulate public perception.

READ THIS: Ezekwesili, others mull new approach against fake news

It cites the recently concluded Ghanaian elections, where at least 171 fake accounts on X (formerly Twitter) were deployed to spread false information.

Similarly, during the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria, coordinated misinformation was used to discredit protesters and distort the movement’s objectives, the report stated.

The report highlights growing concerns over digital security noting that 93 per cent of Nigerian youths worry about online safety, with many falling victim to scams, impersonation, and other cyber threats.

The report attributes these vulnerabilities to the vast amounts of personal data users unknowingly leave behind online, making them easy targets for fraudsters.

The report also raises alarm over  the rise of AI-generated disinformation, warning that bad actors are exploiting artificial intelligence to create deceptive content.

It states that globally, deepfake videos increased by over 1,000% between 2022 and 2023, and 53% of Nigerian youths are now concerned about the threat of AI-generated misinformation.

Despite these challenges, the report finds that some Nigerian youths are taking proactive steps to protect themselves.

According to its findings, 84% use two-factor authentication (2FA) to secure their digital identities, 59% verify news before sharing, and 54% have reported misinformation on social media. However, the report suggests that individual efforts alone are not enough to curb misinformation and digital threats.

The report acknowledges government efforts, such as the Cybercrime Act and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) digital literacy initiatives, which aim to raise digital literacy level to 70% by 2027.

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However, it argues that more investment is needed in fact-checking organizations, which currently rely heavily on international funding.

The  report recommends integrating digital literacy into basic education, launching awareness campaigns where young people are most active, and enacting regulations that ensure AI-generated content is clearly identified.

It warns that without urgent action, misinformation will continue to erode trust in political institutions and discourage young Nigerians from engaging in governance.

IFCN condemns Serbian police raid on CRTA

Fatimah Quadri
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IFCN condemns Serbian police raid on CRTA

THE International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) has condemned the recent police raid on the premises of the Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA) in Belgrade, Serbia. 

This was contained in a statement released by the IFCN on February 25, 2025.

The statement noted that the Serbian authorities conducted the raid on Tuesday, citing unverified allegations of corruption involving USAID funds, a move widely perceived as an attempt to suppress independent media and civil society organizations.

According to reports, the raid was ordered by the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office under what IFCN described as a false pretense of investigating suspected corruption and money laundering.

READ: IFCN condemns threats to abolish fact-checking organization in Greece

The crackdown comes just weeks after CRTA and its fact-checking arm, Istinomer, faced intensified harassment from Serbian tabloid media and online accounts spreading conspiracy theories.

“The police entered CRTA’s premises at the request of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office, under a false pretense of investigating suspected corruption and money laundering.

“Only weeks after CRTA and Istinomer started experiencing aggravated harassment from tabloid press and online accounts that spread conspiracy theories and false claims about their plans to overthrow Serbian President, Aleksandar Vučić,” the statement read in part.

It added that the Office’s chief public prosecutor, Nenad Stefanović, justified the action by referring to statements made by prominent U.S. figures, including U.S President, Donald Trump; U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio; White House spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt; and billionaire entrepreneur, Elon Musk, now heading the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency. However, these claims of USAID corruption have been widely debunked and remain unsupported by evidence.

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The statement further noted that the police raid on CRTA was part of a broader operation that also targeted three other civil society organizations in Serbia. Authorities seized documents related to USAID donations and conducted interviews with NGO representatives regarding the use of these funds.

IFCN denounced the raids as politically motivated, stating that they represent an unprecedented escalation of government repression against independent media while stating that CRTA and Istinomer, both reputable for their transparency, are being harassed under false corruption claims, noting that Istinomer has met rigorous fact-checking standards since 2017.

“CRTA is a reputable civil society organization, and Istinomer is a respected member of the IFCN community; both are well-regarded for the transparency of their work. These accusations clearly appear to intimidate and harass, rather than investigate real suspicions of corruption. CRTA’s Istinomer has been a longstanding signatory to the IFCN Code of Principles, receiving its first independent assessment and successful approval in 2017.

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“Fact-checkers voluntarily sign on to the Code of Principles and go through a verification process to prove they meet universal standards of transparency, independence, non-partisanship and methodology,” the statement noted.

The IFCN urged global stakeholders to hold Serbian authorities accountable and safeguard media freedom. International watchdogs and media organizations have also been called upon to denounce the Serbian government’s actions and push for an end to its crackdown on independent journalism.

Has any Nigerian civil servant received new minimum wage?

Nurudeen Akewushola and Opeyemi Kehinde
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Has any Nigerian civil servant received new minimum wage?

An X user, @xagreat, has claimed that no civil servant in Nigeria has received the new national minimum wage since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government made the promise in May 2024.

Recall that the Nigerian minister of State Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, had on behalf of the federal government disclosed this on May 1, 2024 while addressing Nigerian workers at the May Day celebration in Abuja.

The X post read:

“The New Minimum Wage Will Take Effect From Today, May 1, 2024 — Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
We are in February 2025, and no single civil servant has received the new minimum wage/consequential adjustment. Tinubu over promises and under delivers.“

READ: How true is the claim that every employer must pay the new national minimum wage?

The post has generated over 300,000 views alongside over 1,800 reposts and more than 4,900 likes as of February 24, 2025.

 

CLAIM

No civil servant in Nigeria has received the new national minimum wage.

 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

Since Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, Nigeria has faced significant economic challenges, including rising inflation and a high cost of living. These issues were exacerbated by economic reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidy and currency devaluation.

Screenshot of the viral post on X. INSERT: FALSE verdict.

In response to widespread protests and industrial actions led by labour unions, the government engaged in negotiations to address workers’ demands for better wages. By July 2024, an agreement was reached to increase the national minimum wage to ₦70,000, with a provision for review every three years. This was aimed at alleviating economic hardship and restoring stability in the economy.

In September 2024, PUNCH reported that the Nigerian government had begun paying the new national minimum wage and its consequential adjustments to public servants across all levels of the federal civil service.

The report stated that a warrant for the month’s salary, signed by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, and addressed to the Budget Office, directed the commencement of the new payment.

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A breakdown of the new salary structure showed that officers from level one to level seven now earn between ₦930,000 and ₦1,277,667 per annum.

The report quoted sources, including the Director of Press at the Office of the Accountant-General, organized labour groups (Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress), and several civil servants, confirming the implementation of the new wage.

Ramat Soliu, a staff member of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), confirmed to The FactCheckHub that workers in her agency had started receiving the new minimum wage but expressed disappointment over the low consequential adjustment.

Olumide Dada, an employee of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) – an agency under the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Creative Economy, and Tourism, also confirmed that workers in the agency have started receiving the new minimum wage.

“We received the minimum wage consequential adjustment, which amounted to a ₦40,000 flat rate from our September 2024 salary. The arrears for August were paid with our December salary. The only arrears we are still expecting from the federal government are the wage awards for April, May, June, and July 2024,” he said.

However, Agbaje Francis, a civil servant with the Federal Ministry of Education, told The FactCheckHub that he alongside some of his colleagues are yet to receive the new minimum wage due to a system error.

“We are yet to be paid the minimum wage. The reason given for the non-payment was a system error,” he said.

Further checks show that the Nigerian government made selective payments to some federal workers in September 2024, a Vanguard report stated. But the federal government later in December 2024 reassured workers that many Nigerian states will implement the new national minimum wage from January 2025.

An infographic shows Nigerian states paying the national minimum wage and above. CREDITS: Dataphyte.
An infographic shows Nigerian states paying the national minimum wage and above. CREDITS: Dataphyte.

A PUNCH editorial confirmed that 22 Nigerian states are already implementing the new minimum wage for workers in their respective state civil services as of December 2024. Also, a Dataphyte infographic published on January 30, 2025 corroborated the PUNCH report.

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However, though the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, had approved the payment of N70,000 new national minimum wage for all workers in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) since November 2024, teachers and local government workers in the nation’s capital city had embarked on industrial actions first in December 2024 and also in February 2025 to demand payment of the new wage. The second strike was suspended last Friday, Daily Trust reported.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that no civil servant in Nigeria has received the new national minimum wage is FALSE. Multiple federal workers confirmed to The FactCheckHub that they have been receiving the new minimum wage since September 2024; some media reports also confirmed that federal workers have started receiving the minimum wage since last year while some state governments are yet to implement the new minimum wage scheme.

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