Presidency Alerts Nigerians Over Deepfake Videos, Religious Misinformation Campaigns

The Presidency has raised concerns over what it described as a rising wave of deepfake videos and digitally manipulated content being circulated to mislead Nigerians, inflame religious tensions and discredit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. The alert comes amid increased online political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement posted on its verified X handle, @NGRPresident, the Presidency said the country is witnessing a coordinated pattern of disinformation allegedly driven by political actors using emerging technologies to distort facts and manipulate public perception.

The statement, issued by the Office of Digital Engagement and Strategy, noted that some of the content currently circulating online includes fabricated audio-visual materials falsely attributed to public figures and religious leaders.

According to the Presidency, one of such incidents involved a manipulated video with doctored audio and false claims intended to portray President Tinubu in a negative light through the identity of a social media influencer. It also cited another deepfake clip allegedly linked to a prominent religious figure, which it said was designed to provoke anger and deepen divisions along faith lines.

“We are aware of yet another deliberate attempt to weaponise religion for politics across various online platforms,” the statement said, warning that such tactics were becoming more frequent as political competition intensifies.

It added that “the pattern is becoming increasingly obvious,” noting that some actors were deliberately manufacturing outrage, twisting religious narratives and spreading falsehoods through social media platforms and messaging apps.

The Presidency stressed that President Tinubu remains committed to religious tolerance, national unity and peaceful coexistence. It further underscored the President’s personal and political background as reflective of Nigeria’s diversity.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never hidden who he is. He is a Muslim. He is married to a Christian. He leads a multi-religious nation built on constitutional freedom of worship, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence,” the statement added.

It also referenced the President’s 2026 Lent and Ramadan message, in which he highlighted shared values between Christianity and Islam, including compassion, justice, sacrifice and love for humanity.

The government urged Nigerians to be cautious and verify information before sharing content online, warning that misinformation campaigns are increasingly being designed to exploit religious sensitivities and destabilise social cohesion.

It called on citizens to resist attempts to pit one faith group against another, insisting that unity remains central to Nigeria’s stability and democratic progress.