The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Peter Vowles, disclosed this on Wednesday during a meeting at the minister’s office in Abuja.
Idris announced the development in a post on his verified X account, revealing that discussions between both officials centred on the increasing spread of fake news and misinformation, particularly as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.
The minister warned that the growing circulation of misleading information poses a serious challenge to public understanding and could undermine confidence in the electoral process if left unchecked.
He stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships with countries such as the United Kingdom to promote accurate information, responsible communication and public awareness.
According to him, addressing misinformation should not be the responsibility of a single institution or country, given the growing influence of digital platforms and the speed at which unverified information spreads.
The discussions also focused on strengthening diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the UK through improved public communication and identifying practical areas of cooperation to address emerging information-related challenges.
Idris said Nigeria would continue to work with the United Kingdom and other international partners to promote responsible information management, safeguard electoral integrity and ensure that citizens have access to credible information.
He added that international collaboration remained essential in creating a more responsible information environment, particularly during sensitive political periods.
On his part, Vowles, who assumed office as British High Commissioner to Nigeria about eight weeks ago, said both countries stood to benefit from closer cooperation in addressing shared information challenges.
He specifically identified misinformation and the misuse of artificial intelligence as critical areas where Nigeria and the UK could develop common strategies and strengthen their partnership.
The proposed collaboration comes amid increasing concerns over the use of digital technology to create and circulate fabricated news, manipulated videos, cloned voices and other misleading content, with the potential to influence public perception and undermine trust in democratic institutions.
With Nigeria preparing for the 2027 general elections, the proposed partnership is expected to place greater emphasis on responsible information dissemination, public awareness and efforts to tackle the growing threat of digital disinformation.
