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Alkalanci holds fact-checking, media and information literacy workshop for Northern Islamic clerics in Abuja

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Islamic clerics and scholars drawn across Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been urged to play a more active role in combatting misinformation and promoting responsible information sharing as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

The call was made at a two-day capacity-building workshop on “Building Resilient Communities through Fact-Checking and Media and Information Literacy,” organised by Alkalanci in Abuja.
The workshop brought together 40 Islamic clerics and scholars from across Northern Nigeria to strengthen their capacity to identify, verify and counter false information within their communities. The programme was supported by the MacArthur Foundation and implemented in partnership with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).
In his welcome remarks, Alkalanci Editor, Alhassan Bala, described the workshop as both timely and necessary, particularly in light of preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections and the growing threat posed by artificial intelligence-generated misinformation.
He warned that misinformation and disinformation often increase during election periods, while foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) have become an emerging concern globally.
“We are also in a time where AI-generated pictures, videos and audio, popularly known as deepfakes, are becoming increasingly sophisticated. This is another important reason for community leaders to understand the information environment and learn practical ways to protect themselves and their communities from falsehood,” Bala said.
According to him, Islamic clerics remain among the most trusted voices in society, making them critical partners in promoting information integrity.
“The sermons you deliver, the lessons you teach, and the words you speak carry enormous influence. For millions of people, your voices are voices of guidance and authority. With such trust comes a profound responsibility to ensure that the information shared with communities is true, verified and beneficial,” he said.
Bala noted that Alkalanci has previously organised similar workshops for Islamic clerics and religious leaders in Sokoto, Kano, Gombe and Maradi in the Republic of Niger. The organisation also conducted a dedicated workshop for female Islamic scholars, teachers and religious leaders in Kaduna State as part of efforts to strengthen community resilience against misinformation.
Speaking to journalists, Alkalanci Programme Manager, Victoria Bamas, said engaging religious leaders is critical because of their influence and credibility within communities.
“Religious leaders remain among the most trusted voices in our communities. By equipping them with media and information literacy skills, we are strengthening their ability to guide their congregations and communities towards accurate information and away from harmful misinformation,” she said.
Bamas added that the rapid evolution of the information ecosystem requires citizens to develop the skills needed to critically assess and verify information before sharing it.
“We are in a time where the means of distributing information is no longer in the hands of a few. Anyone with a mobile phone and internet connection can create and share content with large audiences. This makes media and information literacy more important than ever, as people need the skills to navigate the information space and identify credible and accurate information,” she said.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on behalf of the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, the NSCIA Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, said misinformation, disinformation and other forms of information disorder have contributed to misunderstanding among communities, heightened religious and ethnic tensions, undermined public trust and, in some instances, fuelled insecurity and violence.
“We live in an era where information travels faster than ever before. Through social media platforms, messaging applications, blogs and online news outlets, information reaches millions of people within seconds. While these technologies have created tremendous opportunities for communication and education, they have also enabled the rapid spread of falsehoods, rumours, manipulated content and divisive propaganda,” he said.
He noted that Islamic teachings emphasise the importance of verifying information before acting upon it.
“Religious leaders must become champions of truth, peace and informed citizenship. They must encourage communities to pause before sharing information, verify before believing, and seek evidence before making judgments,” he added.
Participants received practical training on understanding misinformation, disinformation and fake news; recognising biased and manipulative content; fact-checking techniques and verification tools; artificial intelligence and information integrity; and the role of faith leaders in promoting responsible communication.

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The workshop also featured discussions on how mosques and religious institutions can serve as trusted centres of information and guidance, helping communities respond more effectively to false narratives and harmful rumours.

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KANSIEC Chairman Advises Fruits Sellers Association to Modernize Business

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7 hours ago

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September 12, 2026

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The Fruits Sellers Association, Kano State Chapter, has been advised to develop a strategic plan within a specific timeframe to modernize its business operations.

The Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC, Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi, gave the advice during a courtesy visit by members of the association to his office.

Professor Malumfashi stated that the fruit business anywhere in the world serves customers from all backgrounds, both rich and poor, due to the importance of fruits in food consumption.

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He maintained that the association should seek recognition across the three tiers of government in order to benefit from government policies and programmes.

The KANSIEC Chairman added that the present administration under the Executive Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, is transforming Kano into a modern metropolitan city with many parks. He said fruit sellers should secure designated spaces around the corners of flyovers across the city.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Fruits Sellers Association of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, Alhaji Safiyanu Abdullahi, said they visited KANSIEC to seek guidance on how to conduct free, fair, and peaceful elections within the association.

Bashir Habib Yahya
Media Aide to the KANSIEC Chairman
Date: 11/09/2026

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Breaking :Former PDP National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur Is Dead

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10 hours ago

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September 12, 2026

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Former Chairman of the peoples Democratic party during Jonathan’s administration Alhaji Bamanga Tukur is dead .

A credible source in Yola the capital of Adamawa state informed Nigerian Tracker that Alhaji Bamanga Tukur passes on in Abuja.

The source said his body will later be conveyed to Yola the capital of Adamawa state for funeral at the palace of Lamidon Adamawa Alhaji Muhammad Barkindo .

 

Alhaji Dr. Bamanga Mahmud Tukur (CON) was a prominent Nigerian politician, businessman, administrator, and elder statesman who has had a towering impact on Nigeria’s socio-political and economic sectors for over six decades.

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He was widely recognized for his roles as the former Governor of the old Gongola State, the former Minister of Industries, and the former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Early Life and EducationDate of Birth: Born on 15 September 1935 in what is today Adamawa State, Nigeria.

Higher Education: He obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree from the University of Pittsburgh in the United States.

Honorary Recognition: He was awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree in Law (Honoris Causa) by Benue State University in Makurdi, Nigeria.

Traditional Titles: Reflecting his high regional and cultural status, he holds the distinguished traditional titles of Tafidan Adamawa and Wakilin Ganye in Adamawa State.

Career in Public Service & Governance
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA):
Served as General Manager/Chief Executive from 1975 to 1982, managing port congestion and modernizing seaports.

Governor of Old Gongola State: Elected during the Second Republic in 1982, serving a brief term before the December 1983 military coup.

Minister for Industries: Served under General Sani Abacha’s military administration from 1993 to 1995.

Business and Continental Leadership Founder of BHI Holdings (Daddo Group),

Tukur expanded his economic influence across Africa:

Africa Business Roundtable (ABR): Founder, past president, and Life Patron.

NEPAD Business Group: Elected Chairman in March 2002.

International Maritime Stature: First African Vice President of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH)

PDP National Chairmanship (2012–2014)Elected PDP National Chairman in March 2012.

 

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Nigeria’s Oil Output Hits 1.573m bpd as OPEC Production Rises–Report Says

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September 11, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Nigeria’s crude oil production, excluding condensate, rose by 35,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.573 million bpd in August 2026, from 1.537 million bpd in July, according to the latest data from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The increase, representing a 2.3 per cent month-on-month (MoM) growth, places Nigeria among OPEC members that recorded higher production during the month.

OPEC, in its latest monthly data based on direct communication from member countries, said Nigeria’s August output was its highest monthly production level in the data provided for 2026.

The August figure also exceeded Nigeria’s average production of 1.552 million bpd in the second quarter of 2026, indicating a gradual improvement in upstream output.

The development comes amid renewed efforts by the Federal Government and oil producers to boost production through improved security, fresh upstream investments, new projects and the rehabilitation of existing assets.

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Across OPEC, crude oil production increased by 346,000 bpd to 24.081 million bpd in August, from 23.735 million bpd in July.

Iraq recorded the largest increase among OPEC members, with output surging by 664,000 bpd to 3.378 million bpd. Kuwait followed with a 49,000-bpd increase to 1.894 million bpd, while the United Arab Emirates added 54,000 bpd to reach 3.835 million bpd.

Venezuela also increased production by 23,000 bpd to 1.145 million bpd.

However, some major producers recorded declines. Saudi Arabia’s output fell by 75,000 bpd to 7.276 million bpd, while Algeria and Libya declined by 8,000 bpd and 9,000 bpd to 999,000 bpd and 1.355 million bpd respectively.

Iran recorded the largest decline, with production dropping by 399,000 bpd to 2.086 million bpd.

Beyond OPEC, total production by the broader OPEC+ group, comprising OPEC members and participating non-OPEC producers under the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC), rose by 297,000 bpd to 38.055 million bpd in August.

Within the non-OPEC DoC group, Kazakhstan increased production by 159,000 bpd to 1.807 million bpd, while Russia cut output by 160,000 bpd to 8.718 million bpd.

For Nigeria, the latest production increase could provide some relief to government revenue and foreign exchange earnings, given the continued importance of crude oil exports to the economy.

Nigeria has set a target of raising crude oil production towards three million bpd by 2030, making sustained increases essential to achieving the ambition.

However, the country still faces significant challenges, including ageing fields, infrastructure constraints, crude theft, funding difficulties and the need to attract new investment into the upstream sector.

The August performance therefore represents progress, but maintaining the upward trend will be crucial if Nigeria is to close the gap between current production and its ambitious 2030 target.

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