FG Trains Over 100 Northern Influencers To Showcase Tinubu’s Achievements, Combat Fake News

The Federal Government has trained more than 100 social media influencers drawn from across Northern Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen responsible digital communication, combat misinformation, and increase public awareness of the policies and achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

According to reports, the training programme, held in Kano on Sunday, was facilitated by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz. He explained that the initiative was designed to equip participants with practical skills for identifying and countering disinformation, while also enhancing their ability to use social media platforms for credible and effective information dissemination.

Abdulaziz noted that the rise in manipulated online content, including AI-generated images, videos, and misleading clips, has contributed significantly to the spread of false narratives capable of creating public distrust and confusion. He stressed that the workshop was intended to prepare influencers to respond responsibly to such challenges by promoting verified and factual information.

He further stated that participants would also be exposed to key achievements and programmes of the Tinubu administration, enabling them to better inform Nigerians about government initiatives while encouraging messages that foster national unity and cohesion.

The presidential aide emphasized that freedom of expression remains a fundamental pillar of democracy, allowing citizens to freely express their opinions and participate in political and non-political activities. However, he expressed concern over what he described as the reckless use of social media by some individuals, stressing the need for greater responsibility in online engagements.

He maintained that the government considers it important for citizens to have accurate information about its activities and policies, adding that the training seeks to encourage influencers to contribute positively to public discourse through responsible and informed use of digital platforms.