The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has continued its efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s information ecosystem through strategic partnerships with media organizations. On February 17, 2026, CITAD paid a courtesy visit to the Democracy Radio Office in Abuja to explore collaboration on digital inclusion, combating misinformation, and promoting the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism.
The meeting brought together representatives from both organizations, including Yesmin Salako, Team Lead at CITAD; Uju Nwachukwu, Acting General Manager of Democracy Radio; and CITAD representatives Mathias Ojoma and Usman Isah.
During the meeting, Yesmin Salako highlighted CITAD’s ongoing initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide and promoting responsible technology use across Nigeria. She noted that the organization has established ICT centers in rural communities within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and has successfully trained over 15,000 individuals in digital skills, with a strong emphasis on empowering women, youth, and underserved communities.
Salako also raised concerns about the growing misuse of emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence, in spreading misinformation. She emphasized that AI-generated content, deepfakes, and other forms of digital manipulation pose significant risks to democratic processes, especially as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections. According to her, collaboration between civil society organizations and media institutions is critical in strengthening fact-checking systems, ethical journalism, and public awareness about digital misinformation.
In response, Uju Nwachukwu, Acting General Manager of Democracy Radio, welcomed the partnership proposal and noted that it aligns closely with the station’s mission of promoting civic education, legislative accountability, and citizen engagement. She expressed optimism about the potential collaboration and indicated Democracy Radio’s readiness to work with CITAD in advancing responsible media practices and public digital awareness.
Both organizations identified several key areas for collaboration. These include joint training programs for journalists on digital literacy, fact-checking, and ethical reporting, as well as collaborative election observation and reporting efforts in preparation for the 2027 elections. The partnership will also focus on developing guidelines and capacity-building initiatives for the responsible use of AI in newsrooms.
Another important aspect of the collaboration will involve public awareness campaigns designed to educate citizens on digital rights, online privacy, and responsible internet usage. These initiatives aim to strengthen public understanding of digital technologies while ensuring that communities can safely and effectively participate in the digital space.
The discussion also emphasized broader themes such as digital inclusion for women, youth, and rural communities, the mitigation of AI-driven misinformation, and the importance of strengthening media accountability and fact-checking practices. Participants agreed that these issues are essential to building a more transparent and reliable information environment in Nigeria.
The visit concluded with both organizations expressing strong interest in formalizing the partnership. As a next step, they plan to develop and document a joint work plan that will guide the implementation of collaborative activities.
Overall, the meeting laid a solid foundation for future cooperation aimed at improving Nigeria’s information ecosystem, reducing misinformation, promoting ethical technology use, and supporting credible democratic processes.
The engagement reflects CITAD’s broader commitment to leveraging technology, partnerships, and media collaboration to strengthen democracy and digital rights in Nigeria.