The International Press Centre’s EU-supported training for Southwest media leaders has led participants to launch Fact-check Osun Election, a project aimed at reshaping the information landscape. The project originated from IPC’s engagement with media operational leaders in the Southwest, including publishers and editors of prominent online news outlets from Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, and Ogun
The International Press Centre’s EU-supported training for Southwest media leaders has led participants to launch Fact-check Osun Election, a project aimed at reshaping the information landscape.
The project originated from IPC’s engagement with media operational leaders in the Southwest, including publishers and editors of prominent online news outlets from Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, and Ogun States. This meeting took place in Ibadan on July 14, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to foster sustained, strategic collaboration aimed at enhancing professional, inclusive, and accountable media coverage of Nigeria’s electoral processes leading up to the 2027 General Elections. Subsequently, IPC conducted follow-up discussions with media executives in Ibadan, Oyo State, on July 14, 2025.
During the engagement, participants were informed about the challenges and dangers posed by misinformation within Nigeria’s electoral landscape. The session enhanced online publishers’ understanding of their responsibilities regarding fact-checking, managing misinformation, and ensuring gender-sensitive reporting. Additionally, participants gained insight into the growing emphasis on journalists’ duty to critically evaluate the performance of public office holders prior to elections, thereby supporting greater democratic accountability.
Following a productive engagement, Mr. Jare Tiamiyu, Editor of Insights Links, reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing impactful initiatives aimed at reshaping public narratives, especially in the context of heightened political rivalry, social media rumors, and growing information disorder ahead of the Osun governorship election. In response, he announced the launch of a platform designed to support effective fact-checking during the state’s upcoming poll.
In addition to Mr Tiamiyu, the initiative includes Sodiq Yusuf (Online Editor, Osun Defender), Yusuf Oketola (Acting Editor, Osun Defender), Damilola Lateef (an experienced journalist), Sodiq Lawal Chocomilo (Editor of Within Nigeria), Boluwatife Adedokun (Publisher of Harbinger), and Francis Ezediuno.
Mr. Tiamiyu announced the launch of “Fact-check Osun Election,” a project aimed at verifying claims made by candidates, supporters, and promoters ahead of the Osun State governorship election. This initiative seeks to promote issue-based campaigns and help voters make informed choices.
Driven by Commitment
Driven by a sense of responsibility and awareness of the risks posed by misinformation—especially as discussed during the training session on the impact of Artificial Intelligence in the public sphere—seven journalists joined forces to create a coalition. This group is dedicated to monitoring, investigating, and debunking false information related to the Osun governorship election through a platform designed specifically for this purpose.
Mr. Lanre Arogundade’s session was insightful and directly addressed issues relevant to Osun State. As local practitioners, we recognise our responsibility to contribute through action. Campaigns for governorship elections are often filled with false and unverifiable claims, and the rise of AI has made the problem even worse. This highlights the critical importance of fact-checking and accurate reporting to protect the media landscape, correct misrepresentations, and ensure voters receive reliable information, Mr. Tiamiyu emphasised.
Enhancing Public Confidence
Mr Yusuf Oketola, a participant in the IPC-EUSDGN interface and an integral member of the fact-checking initiative, says he’s dedicated to restoring public trust by addressing the challenges posed by information disorder.
After learning from media experts about the dangers of fake news and its effects on society during the IPC-EUSDGN training in July, Mr. Oketola told the NDR that he and his colleagues feel motivated and believe they have a duty to provide accurate and objective information to the public.
“It will further solidify and reinstall public trust in the media. On the mode of operation, we are meeting soon to formally launch the initiative. I believe this will be part of our discussions.
“We embark on this initiative based on the views from different media experts present at the training on the menace of fake news and its impact on society. As we approach the 2026 governorship election in Osun State, we believe this is a time when politicians and their supporters embark on promoting malicious content, and as Journalists, we owe the public the responsibility of accuracy and objectivity.
“We are confident that this initiative will reduce the level of spreading fake reports to the barest minimum. It will also bring about accountability in politics, elections and governance.
Beyond the Immediate Narrative
Beyond the scope of their work with the Fact-check Osun Election platform, Francis Ezediuno believes the International Press Centre has a greater responsibility to continue training more journalists and media practitioners on fact-checking, as this would provide a deeper level of knowledge to aim for and make an initiative like theirs possible.
“The IPC training was an eye-opener. At times, you have an aim of doing something, but just one push will bring it to reality. After attending the training, it was kind of a reality check on the importance of getting to do this, more importantly, that the Osun election is around the corner
Speaking about subsequent training in the future, Mr Ezeduino stated that “It is welcome, and also IPC should not do away with veterans of their training. Top-up and retraining are also important.”
