PRESS RELEASE

The European Union has launched its new 18-month initiative, “Countering Disinformation and Empowering Democracy in Northwestern Nigeria”, a project implemented by Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and designed to strengthen the region’s information ecosystem and support democratic resilience. The initiative will focus on five high-risk states – Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina,
Kebbi, and Niger – and will deploy a multisectoral approach involving media practitioners, civil society organisations, security agencies, community leaders, and digital influencers.

The project directly addresses the surge in disinformation and narratives that frequently trigger immediate violence across the Northwest. Its core strategy is to strengthen information integrity and foster peaceful coexistence by neutralising harmful narratives before they escalate.

Xenia Stoll, the  Political at the EU Officer at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, stated: “Nowadays disinformation and information manipulation are not only communications issues. They are used as a tactic of destabilizing societies and inciting violence and conflict. They limit the possibility to engage in constructive, informed dialogue. We need to take those threats seriously. We need fact – checking and critical thinking. I know that the EU initiative will contribute to resilience and media literacy in the Northwest Nigeria“.

Akintunde Babatunde, CJID’s Executive Director, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting credible information, strengthening democratic participation, and fostering peaceful coexistence across Nigeria through innovation-driven media development initiatives.