NITDA Warns of AI Manipulation Ahead of 2027 Elections

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) could be exploited to spread misinformation, manipulate public opinion and undermine trust ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi, raised the concern on Wednesday during a press briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on preparations for the International Cybersecurity Conference 2026.

Abdullahi said advances in AI had made it easier to create convincing but misleading political messages, fabricated audio recordings and deepfake videos capable of influencing public perception and decision-making.

He warned that the widespread use of social media for news and political information could expose Nigerians to coordinated disinformation campaigns, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the elections.

According to him, cybercriminals increasingly exploit human behaviour through social engineering, manipulating people into revealing sensitive information or taking actions that compromise their security.

He urged Nigerians to scrutinise political content before accepting or circulating it, emphasising that AI-generated materials could appear authentic despite containing false or misleading information.

Abdullahi also highlighted emerging cybersecurity risks associated with AI-powered agents used by organisations to automate business processes. He cautioned that criminals who gain control of such systems could manipulate operations in ways similar to taking over the responsibilities of employees.

While acknowledging that AI could strengthen threat detection and improve digital security, he said the technology could equally make scams and cyberattacks more sophisticated.

The NITDA chief attributed many cybersecurity breaches to human error, stressing the need for digital literacy, responsible technology use and stronger public awareness. He encouraged individuals and organisations to review AI-generated content carefully and maintain human oversight when deploying automated systems.

On the forthcoming conference, Abdullahi said the event had been upgraded from a national gathering to an international conference because cybersecurity threats increasingly crossed national borders and required coordinated responses.

The conference, themed Cyber Resilience in the Age of AI: Defending Minds, Networks, and Nations, will examine deepfakes, cognitive manipulation, cybercrime and threats to critical infrastructure.

It is expected to feature 13 keynote addresses, 16 panel discussions and a cybersecurity hackathon involving approximately 1,946 participants from secondary schools, tertiary institutions, professional bodies and government agencies.

The Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian Communications Commission are among the principal partners supporting the event.

Abdullahi said the conference would promote collaboration, develop local cybersecurity expertise and strengthen Nigeria’s ability to anticipate and respond to emerging digital threats.

He further stressed that cybersecurity was essential to the growth of the digital economy, warning that inadequate protection against online fraud could discourage Nigerians from embracing electronic commerce and other digital services.

He called on public institutions and private organisations to invest in cybersecurity infrastructure, strengthen incident-response plans and integrate security measures into digital systems from the outset.

Abdullahi also identified agriculture, financial services, education, healthcare and small businesses as sectors where responsible AI adoption could improve productivity and support economic growth.

He maintained that protecting digital infrastructure and public trust would be crucial to ensuring that Nigeria benefits from technological innovation while reducing the risks associated with AI-enabled manipulation.