Prominent Nigerian celebrities, including Mrs. Tolu Oniru (Toolz), Linda Ejiofor, Folu Storms and Kiki Omeili, have launched a nationwide campaign to tackle Nigeria’s growing fake news crisis.
The #FWDWithFacts campaign, launched on Thursday in Abuja, is a collaboration between Gatefield and the global philanthropic organisation Luminate.
This initiative aims to empower Nigerians with tools to identify and combat fake news while advocating for stricter content moderation by social media giants like Meta and X (formerly Twitter).
Advocacy lead at Gatefield, Shirley Ewang noted that the campaign, which debuted with a public service announcement and grassroots outreach, highlights the devastating effects of fake news in Africa’s most populous country.
“For instance, a fake photo circulated in 2018 triggered an ethnic conflict in Plateau State, resulting in the loss of 12 lives,” Ewang said.
She also emphasised the disparities in Big Tech’s content moderation policies.
“While Europe benefits from strict regulations like the Digital Services Act, Africa is often left vulnerable. Africa deserves the same urgency and protection as other regions,” she stated.
The #FWDWithFacts campaign calls on Nigerians to demand accountability through a petition targeting social media platforms and government regulators. It urges these entities to prioritise transparency and proactive moderation.
“With misinformation threatening democracy, public safety, and social stability, this campaign represents a bold step toward empowering citizens and holding Big Tech accountable,” Ewang added.
Omeili, a vocal advocate for the campaign, stressed the need for immediate action: “I have seen lives, relationships, and reputations destroyed because of fake news. It’s time people think twice and verify before sharing harmful content,” she said.
Science Nigeria reports that during the 2023 elections, misinformation reached unprecedented levels, with over 100,000 false claims shared daily.
Experts attribute this to a combination of low media literacy, weak content moderation and algorithms that amplify sensational content.
