EU Warns Foreign Disinformation Poses Threat to Nigeria’s Democracy

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Gautier Mignot, has cautioned that foreign manipulation of information poses an increasing threat to democratic institutions and societal stability. He urged journalists to uphold professional standards as disinformation campaigns grow more sophisticated.

Mignot spoke in Abuja on Monday during a one-day workshop on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) organized for members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN). He noted that disinformation is steadily eroding public trust in governance and the media.

“False information, regardless of its form or motive, undermines society. It damages media credibility, weakens confidence in public institutions, and diminishes people’s ability to make informed decisions,” Mignot said. He added that the consequences are particularly severe when false information is deliberately designed to mislead the public.

Highlighting the role of journalists, the ambassador said they are increasingly targeted as gatekeepers of public knowledge. “Journalists control the flow of information to the public. It is unsurprising, therefore, that they are often frontline targets of FIMI,” he said.

He further warned that modern digital tools have made it easier to fabricate texts, images, and videos, complicating efforts to distinguish between authentic and doctored content. “While technology has made communication faster and easier, it also allows deceptive content to spread quickly, often indistinguishable from genuine information,” Mignot explained.

Citing a July 2024 European Parliament report, he noted that 85 per cent of people globally are concerned about disinformation, with 38 per cent of EU citizens viewing it as a threat to democracy. He added that Nigeria faces similar challenges, referencing a 2020 report by the Centre for Democracy and Development, which highlighted a significant increase in misleading content exacerbating ethnic and religious tensions.

Despite these challenges, Mignot said disinformation offers traditional media an opportunity to reinforce credibility if accuracy is prioritized over sensationalism. “Media must remain reliable, fact-check information, and ensure research for truth leads research for scoops,” he said.

He also highlighted how online disinformation increasingly spills into mainstream media, blurring lines between social media content and professional reporting. “It is becoming harder to distinguish between content shared on social media and information broadcast by print, radio, or television,” he noted.

Mignot warned that deliberate information manipulation contributes to the spread of anti-democratic narratives in West Africa. “The glamorization of anti-democratic forces as heroes is a clear sign of the damage caused by information manipulation,” he said.

The ambassador outlined EU-supported initiatives aimed at boosting media literacy and countering disinformation in Nigeria, including partnerships with fact-checking organizations like Dubawa, editor training programs, and opportunities for Nigerian journalists to participate in media literacy programs in Europe, including first-hand reporting from conflict zones.

Explaining the selection of DICAN members for the workshop, he said, “As field reporters covering diplomatic and foreign affairs, you are key conduits of information between Nigeria and the world. Your commitment to combating disinformation makes you ideal participants for this capacity-building session.”

Mignot expressed hope that the training would strengthen journalistic integrity and protect Nigeria’s democratic space. “I trust this session will enhance your professional skills and help you fulfill your critical responsibility to society,” he said.

Also speaking at the workshop, Sebastian Babaud of the European External Action Service in Brussels described FIMI as a behavior pattern that threatens values, political processes, and international partnerships. He warned that disinformation can endanger both national and global security and requires coordinated responses.

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference have become a global concern over the past decade, driven by the rapid growth of digital technologies. Governments and research organizations have documented how state-linked and non-state actors use coordinated campaigns to polarize societies, undermine democratic processes, and weaken trust in media.

The EU has responded through initiatives like the EUvsDisinfo project, launched in 2015 to track disinformation from foreign sources, and has expanded its policies to help member states and partner countries resist cross-border manipulation.

Nigeria, with its large online population and diverse socio-political landscape, is considered one of the West African countries most exposed to politically motivated disinformation. Studies show that misleading content often exploits longstanding ethnic, religious, and regional divisions.

During elections from 2015 to 2023, researchers observed spikes in fabricated stories, doctored videos, and coordinated online campaigns aimed at shaping political perceptions. Analysts note that these trends mirror global patterns, where domestic and foreign actors exploit digital platforms to influence political discourse.

The EU and Nigeria have collaborated for years to strengthen governance, media freedom, and electoral integrity. Through its Abuja Delegation, the EU funds programs to improve fact-checking capacity, support investigative journalism, and enhance digital literacy among media professionals and young people. Partnerships with Nigerian organizations like Dubawa and the Nigerian Guild of Editors form part of a wider strategy to combat harmful information ecosystems.