Mohammed Idris Warns on AI Misinformation Threats

On September 24, 2026, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, addressed the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the 22nd Annual All Nigerian Editors Conference in Enugu. He cautioned that AI-generated fake content, including photographs, videos, and audio recordings, poses a significant threat to democracy and public trust in Nigeria.

Idris highlighted the urgency of this issue as the 2027 general elections approach, stressing that credible information is essential for informed voter decisions. He stated that editors play a crucial role in shaping public discourse and urged media organizations to adopt verification as a core aspect of their newsroom culture.

He provided a list of critical questions journalists should consider before publishing information to combat misinformation. Idris emphasized the need for rigorous scrutiny of government performance, akin to that applied to other public institutions.