Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. PRESS STATEMENT. As preparations begin for the Ekiti State Governorship Election in 2026, a new civic initiative aimed at protecting the integrity of digital information and promoting responsible digital citizenship has been officially launched in the state. The Ekiti Digital Integrity Initiative (EDII), a non-governmental and non-partisan programme, is being introduced to help safeguard the digital information space as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the election.
The Ekiti Digital Integrity Initiative is the first pilot programme under the Nigeria Digital Integrity Initiative (NDII), a broader national framework designed to address the growing challenges posed by digital misinformation, disinformation, and the misuse of emerging technologies during democratic processes. The launch of EDII in Ekiti State marks the beginning of a long-term effort to build awareness, strengthen digital literacy, and ensure that citizens are empowered with the knowledge necessary to navigate today’s increasingly complex information environment.
In recent years, advances in artificial intelligence and digital media technologies have significantly transformed the way information is created and shared. Today, AI tools can generate fake videos, clone voices, manipulate images, and produce entirely fabricated stories within minutes. While these technologies offer opportunities for innovation, they also pose serious risks when used to manipulate public perception, spread misinformation, or influence political discourse. As Ekiti moves toward the 2026 election season, it has become increasingly important to proactively address these challenges before they undermine public trust and democratic participation.
The Ekiti Digital Integrity Initiative was established to promote digital awareness and help citizens recognize the difference between verified information and misleading content online. By equipping the public with the skills to identify manipulated media and questionable sources, the initiative seeks to reduce the spread of false information that can distort public opinion or influence voter decisions. The programme will focus on educating citizens on how to identify AI-generated videos, cloned audio recordings, fabricated images, and misleading narratives that may circulate across social media platforms during the election period.
Another major objective of the initiative is to encourage responsible information sharing among citizens. In the digital age, every social media user has the power to influence public conversations by sharing content with their networks. Unfortunately, many people unknowingly contribute to the spread of misinformation simply by forwarding unverified messages or viral content. Through EDII, citizens will be encouraged to pause, verify sources, and confirm facts before sharing information with their communities, family members, and online audiences.
The initiative will also promote informed participation in the democratic process. Elections are built on the foundation of informed choice, and voters deserve access to accurate information when deciding who should lead them. By helping citizens develop the ability to question suspicious content and verify claims, EDII aims to ensure that electoral decisions are guided by facts rather than viral falsehoods or digitally manipulated narratives.
Beyond voter education, the Ekiti Digital Integrity Initiative seeks to contribute to peaceful and credible elections by promoting a culture of digital responsibility and civic awareness. A well-informed public is less vulnerable to manipulation, propaganda, or inflammatory misinformation that can create unnecessary tension during election periods. By strengthening citizens’ ability to evaluate information critically, the initiative hopes to support a more stable and trustworthy democratic environment in Ekiti State.
Ekiti has been selected as the launch point for this initiative due to its strong civic culture, politically conscious population, and active youth demographic. As one of Nigeria’s most politically engaged states, Ekiti provides an important platform to test and refine strategies that can later be expanded nationally under the National Digital Integrity Initiative. The experiences and lessons from the Ekiti programme will help shape future interventions in other parts of the country as Nigeria continues to navigate the evolving challenges of digital information in the democratic space.
The Ekiti Digital Integrity Initiative will engage citizens across the state through public awareness campaigns, digital literacy resources, media engagement, youth-focused outreach programmes, and partnerships with civil society organizations, media institutions, and community leaders. Through these efforts, the initiative aims to build a network of digitally aware citizens who are committed to protecting the integrity of information within their communities.
As the journey toward Ekiti Decides 2026 begins, the message of the Ekiti Digital Integrity Initiative is clear: citizens must take an active role in defending truth and protecting the credibility of democratic processes. Manipulated videos, cloned voices, and fabricated narratives should not determine the future of the state or influence the choices of voters.
The responsibility of safeguarding the truth does not belong to one institution alone. It requires the collective commitment of citizens, media practitioners, civic organizations, and digital platforms working together to ensure that information shared within the public space is accurate, verified, and responsible.
The Ekiti Digital Integrity Initiative therefore calls on all residents of the state to remain vigilant, verify information before sharing it, and make decisions based on credible facts. Democracy is strongest when citizens are informed, and the integrity of elections depends on the integrity of the information that shapes public opinion.
As the initiative begins its work, its guiding message remains simple and powerful: Know the Truth. Protect Your Vote.
Signed
Ekiti Digital Integrity Initiative (EDII)
Pilot Programme of the National Digital Integrity Initiative
