Businesses operating in Nigeria have been urged to strengthen their preparedness against artificial intelligence (AI)-driven misinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections, as experts warn that emerging technologies could significantly reshape the country’s information environment.
The recommendation is contained in a new report titled Navigating Nigeria 2027, released by Bloomwit Africa.
According to the report, the 2027 elections will be the first in Nigeria’s history to take place with generative AI tools widely available, creating new opportunities for the rapid production and spread of false information through text, audio, images and videos.
The report noted that fabricated content involving prominent Nigerian public figures has already surfaced online, while electoral and data protection authorities have identified AI-generated disinformation, deepfakes and political profiling as emerging threats to democratic processes.
It warned that businesses, especially those with strong public brands, could become targets of coordinated misinformation campaigns during the election period.
Bloomwit Africa attributed the growing risk to what it described as a structural imbalance in the information ecosystem.
It explained that advances in generative AI have drastically reduced the cost and speed of creating convincing fake content, whereas detecting, verifying and correcting such material remains expensive and time-consuming.
As a result, organisations are encouraged to build response mechanisms before the election cycle intensifies.
The report also highlighted the increasing influence of encrypted messaging platforms in shaping public opinion, noting that misinformation often spreads rapidly within private digital communities before fact-checkers or authorities can intervene.
It advised organisations to invest in digital monitoring, crisis communication strategies, employee awareness programmes and media verification tools to mitigate reputational risks.
Industry observers believe the growing threat also presents opportunities for technology firms developing AI detection systems, digital verification services and cybersecurity solutions.
They stressed that proactive collaboration among businesses, technology providers, regulators and civil society will be essential to protecting public trust and preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
The report concludes that early preparation, rather than reactive measures, will be crucial in limiting the impact of AI-powered misinformation as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
