The Nigerian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the security and information environment ahead of the 2027 general elections to ensure peaceful, credible and transparent polls.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this in Abuja at the 8th Public Lecture, Impact Series and Awards of Excellence organised by Blueprint Newspapers Limited, with the theme, “Security Challenges and Integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections”.
Idris said electoral integrity was determined not only by events on election day, but also by the security environment, credibility of institutions, conduct of political actors, professionalism of the media and quality of information available to citizens.
“For the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the security and welfare of Nigerians remain fundamental responsibilities of government,” he said.
The minister assured that the Nigerian Government would continue to mobilise resources, personnel and technology to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other threats to the safety of Nigerians.
He also raised concerns over the growing threat posed by misinformation and disinformation, particularly with the rapid development of artificial intelligence, which he said had made it increasingly possible to create convincing but fabricated audio, video and images.
“Democracy cannot thrive where citizens are deliberately misled,” he said.
Idris disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, in partnership with UNESCO and other stakeholders, had established the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) in Abuja to strengthen media and information literacy.
“Strengthening citizens’ ability to identify and reject false information is increasingly important as Nigeria approaches another electoral cycle,” he added.
Also speaking, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), warned that cyber interference, misinformation and manipulated digital content could pose as much danger to the integrity of the 2027 elections as physical violence.
Musa, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Policy and Research, Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Akinjobi (retd.), said Nigeria must broaden its approach to election security beyond the traditional deployment of security personnel to polling units.
“Election security can no longer be viewed simply as the protection of polling stations. It is, fundamentally, the protection of democratic legitimacy,” he said.
He said terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, organised crime and communal conflicts remained major threats, while the digital environment had created new avenues for manipulating public opinion and undermining confidence in democratic institutions.
Musa called for cyber resilience, strategic communication and long-term intelligence-led planning ahead of the 2027 elections. He also reaffirmed the non-partisan role of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, saying the military would operate within its constitutional mandate and provide lawful support to civil authorities when required.
He proposed the SECURE Framework for strengthening election security, comprising Strategic Intelligence Integration, Electoral Cyber Resilience, Civil-Military Coordination, Unified Strategic Communication, a Responsible Information Environment and Engaged Citizens.
Former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, said insecurity was a collective responsibility and should not be left to the government and security agencies alone.
Yari urged Nigerians to unite in protecting the country, stressing that insecurity should not be politicised because its effects extend to people’s lives, the economy and general wellbeing.
The Royal Father of the Day, Dr Yahaya Abubakar, CFR, Etsu Nupe, represented by the Andoma of Doma, Ahmadu Onawo, commended Blueprint Newspapers for its contribution to national discourse and called for greater commitment to national unity and development.
Earlier, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Blueprint Newspapers, Malam Salisu Umar, said the annual Impact Series was established to provide a platform for intellectual discussion of issues of national importance.
The event also featured awards to distinguished Nigerians and organisations. The APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, was named Blueprint Person of the Year.
Accepting the award, Yilwatda urged Nigerians, particularly young people, not to surrender to despair, saying the challenges facing the country should not define its future.
The event attracted government officials, lawmakers, political leaders, traditional rulers, members of the diplomatic and business communities, security stakeholders, media professionals and other dignitaries.
