Kashifu Abdullahi, Director‑General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has called for efforts to transform the torrent of online misinformation into a “digital shield” for Nigeria.
Abdullahi made the call in a keynote address on Monday at a national symposium on digital innovation in crisis communication, themed “Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Transform Crisis Communication”, hosted by the National Defence College and organized by the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) in Abuja.
The director-general noted that the speed of crises has shifted dramatically from the era of physical messengers to the digital age.
“Twenty‑five years ago, a crisis moved at the speed of a newspaper; today it races at the speed of a click,” he said, adding that time—once the most valuable currency in emergency response—now moves at a dramatically altered rate.
Citing research from the MIT Media Lab, Abdullahi highlighted a stark reality: false news spreads six times faster than the truth, penetrating networks more deeply and lingering longer because “lies are more often novel and shocking.”
He explained that the algorithms powering social-media platforms are designed to amplify novelty, making misinformation inherently more viral than factual content.
Abdullahi stressed that technology itself is neutral: “It is the hand that wields it that determines whether it becomes a tool or a weapon. We can use it to protect our citizens, or we can let bad actors weaponize it.”
He urged a societal pact to turn digital platforms into early-warning systems rather than echo chambers of chaos.
Abdullahi outlined a three‑pillar framework: a transparent takedown process, a robust content-statement mechanism, and a multi-stakeholder governance model. He called for clear procedures that balance curbing harmful content with protecting free speech, ensuring that only material violating Nigerian law is removed.
A key element of the plan is the newly enacted Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms, which requires major tech firms to register locally, pay taxes, and maintain direct communication channels with the government.
“This code has already opened a dialogue between state officials and tech giants,” Abdullahi noted, referencing recent agreements that have yielded concrete results.
Presenting statistics at the symposium, he underscored the scale of the challenge: “In the past year, Google deactivated 9,680,141 accounts, LinkedIn removed nearly 60 million, and TikTok contributed to over 28 million account deactivation. Collectively, the three platforms removed more than 58 million pieces of harmful content, with 420,000 later reinstated after internal reviews.”
Abdullahi highlighted the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation, which led to the establishment of the Nigerian Data Protection Commission, as a cornerstone for safeguarding personal data and privacy. He also announced that a comprehensive Online Harm Protection Bill is in its final drafting stages, aiming to provide a legal framework for online safety and mandate local fact-checking teams attuned to Nigeria’s cultural context.
Emphasizing that government action alone is insufficient, he called for the establishment of a Centre for Crisis Management to unite civil society organizations, security agencies, and major tech players.
“Such a centre will ensure that power remains accountable and that no single actor dominates the narrative,” he said, adding that it will be vital for protecting democracy and preventing the abuse of digital tools.
He stressed the importance of building a digital shield that leverages innovation, protects privacy, and upholds democratic values.
“We must champion this emerging framework for the sake of a safer, more united nation,” Abdullahi urged.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of CCC, retired Maj-Gen Christopher Olukolade, defined crisis communication as the deliberate, coordinated, and timely dissemination of accurate information before, during, and after a crisis.
Olukolade said crises have become more frequent, complex, and paradoxically more predictable, testing the nation’s resilience and the credibility of its communication infrastructure.
He noted that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, big-data analytics, geospatial mapping, and mobile analytics are now game changers.
“These technologies can detect early warning signals, instantly disseminate verified information, and counter misinformation in real time,” he said, emphasizing that effective crisis response now hinges on seamless coordination among security agencies, policymakers, ICT regulators, and development partners.
