To address the growing challenge of false information and its impact on African societies, the Olusegun Obasanjo Centre for African Studies (OOCAS) has announced its plan to host its first international symposium focused on combating the menace of fake news in society.

In collaboration with the National Open University, this conference aims to bring together experts, academics, and decision-makers to discuss the various facets of false information and to consider practical mitigation techniques.

The symposium, titled “Harnessing African Solutions to Combat Fake News, Misinformation, and Disinformation,” will be held virtually on Thursday, July 13th, 2023, and will feature top media practitioners from various backgrounds.

The OOCAS, based in Nigeria, is an independent non-profit organization engaged in development research with the goal of promoting and deepening good governance in Nigeria and throughout Africa, as well as examining critical policy issues such as democratization and good governance, rule of law and anti-corruption, peace and conflict resolution, and human rights and ethical values.

Recognising the negative effects of the spread of false information in society, the centre has taken a proactive approach to combating fake news by increasing public awareness of the importance of evidence-based information.

According to the information given, media experts like Mr. Bayo Onanuga, a former managing director of the News Agency of Nigeria and director of the presidential council of the All Progressives Congress, and Mr Ima Niboro, a former special adviser to President Goodluck, will speak at the symposium as guest speakers.

Other speakers at the symposium include Dr Reuben Abati, a television anchor for Arise Television, who served as the former president Goodluck Jonathan’s special adviser on media and publicity; Dr. Nasir Danladi Bako, a former director general of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and commissioner for information of Sokoto State, and Dr. Letshwiti Batlhalefi Tutwane, a former lecturer in media law and journalism at the University of Botswana.

The event will be hosted by Professor Eserinune McCarty Mojaye, Director of the Olusegun Obasanjo Centre for African Studies, and moderated by Professor Abiodun Gabriel Adeniyi, Professor of Diasporic Communication at Baze University in Abuja. The Vice Chancellor of the National Open University, Prof. Olufemi Peters, will be the chief host of the symposium.