#AnambraDecides2025: NFC activates situation room ahead of Anambra election 

The Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition (NFC) has opened its situation rooms for the Anambra state governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2024. 

The coalition will operate two situation rooms in Abuja and Lagos, where its members will monitor, fact-check, and debunk misinformation and disinformation that could incite violence, engender voter apathy, undermine trust in the electoral process, and affect the election outcome.

The on-site situation in Lagos will be open on Friday, November 7, and Saturday, November 8, 2025, respectively. In Abuja, the situation room will be open on Saturday, November 8, 2025, and Sunday, November 9, 2025. 

The Coalition, launched in June 2022, includes three International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) signatories: Africa Check, FactCheckHub, and DUBAWA. Other partners are the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), FactsMatterNG, Digital Africa Research Lab, Round Check, WikkiTimes, and FactWatch. 

The NFC debunked dozens of false information about Nigeria’s 2023 general elections and off-cycle state elections in Ondo and Edo, leveraging effective collaboration among researchers, fact-checkers, editors, data analysts, and social media specialists.

The coalition’s model has been adopted in other countries such as Ghana and South Africa. 

The NFC Acting Coordinator, who is also the editor at FactCheckHub, Victoria Bamas, said the NFC’s work is crucial in today’s information ecosystem, especially at a time when information can easily be weaponised.

“The work the NFC does is crucial in today’s information ecosystem, from media literacy to the verification of information. At a time when information can easily be weaponised for nefarious purposes, it is commendable to see a coalition of media organisations dedicating time and resources to sensitising the public and purifying the information space,” she said.

Speaking about media literacy reports on the Anambra election that the NFC produced as part of its situation room’s pre-election activities, she said the feedback is already showing that the work the coalition does is essential. 

“These reports, which were amplified by multiple media houses, had a real impact. Someone who read one of the articles on electoral offences told me they were not even aware of some of the issues highlighted in the report before reading it.

“The NFC’s work helps enlighten citizens about the electoral process, thereby promoting civic participation. And for us to achieve good governance, we need an informed and active citizenry,” Victoria said.

She expressed confidence in the work that the NFC will do and its impact on this election.

The Nigerian editor of Africa Check, David Ajikobi, said the new Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) leadership makes this election and NFC’s work significant.

“With the new leadership at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other factors, we consider the Anambra state election significant. As a result, we as fact-checkers are paying close attention.  

“We are monitoring the media space, both online and offline, fact-checking and verifying the claims, and publishing reports to ensure the integrity of information surrounding the election.”

DUBAWA Editor Kemi Busari stated that the coalition’s goal is to mitigate the impact of election-related disinformation.

He said, “We’ve seen in recent years how election-related misinformation and disinformation significantly impact the process and outcome. We are trying to mitigate this by consolidating our resources to fact-check fraudulent claims during elections. We hope to do another solid job with the Anambra election.”

While the NFC monitors the electoral process, members of the public can send claims on WhatsApp – +234 903 078 5265.