By Favour Ulebor

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has called for urgent and coordinated action to combat disinformation, warning that it poses a serious threat to democracy and stability in the region.

The call was made at the Regional Stakeholders’ Engagement on Countering Disinformation in West Africa, held recently in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Director of CDD West Africa, Dr. Dauda Garuba, described disinformation as a dangerous tool increasingly used to incite violence, erode public trust, and weaken democratic institutions, particularly during elections.

He warned that false narratives have been deliberately manipulated to distort public perception, delegitimize electoral processes, and fuel unrest. If not addressed, he said, disinformation could significantly undermine efforts to strengthen democracy and good governance in the region.

Garuba commended ECOWAS for its commitment to tackling the menace, emphasizing that countering disinformation requires a collective effort involving governments, civil society, media, and technology platforms. He urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and take decisive action to safeguard democracy, stressing that a well-informed citizenry remains the strongest defense against the spread of false information.

Also speaking at the conference, Head of Democracy and Good Governance at the ECOWAS Commission, Ebenezer Asiedu, highlighted the growing role of foreign actors in sponsoring disinformation campaigns across the region to disrupt democratic processes.

“It is important to note that many of these disinformation campaigns are foreign-sponsored through emerging technologies and social media,” Asiedu said.

He explained that foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) has not only become a threat to democracy in West Africa but has also significantly influenced behavioral patterns, values, and political processes.

“What we have noticed is that these disinformation campaigns are orchestrated either through private agents or AI-generated content, deliberately sponsored to support undemocratic regimes or create instability. These intentional attacks, often foreign-driven, have become the tool of choice for groups that want to cause significant disruption at a low cost,” he added.

Asiedu warned that the consequences of such manipulation are not only alarming but potentially catastrophic, calling for “enhanced and concerted efforts” to counter the growing disinformation threat.

Professor of Political Science, Adele Jinadu, also raised concerns about external forces playing a significant role in spreading disinformation to destabilize the region. He urged stakeholders to remain cautious about information disseminated by those in power, noting that state actors can sometimes be major sources of disinformation.

Jinadu further pointed out that disinformation is only one part of the problem, stressing that structural issues also contribute to the current challenges facing West Africa.

Professor and Director at CDD, Jibrin Ibrahim, highlighted the role of social media algorithms in amplifying disinformation. He explained that social media platforms prioritize controversial content because it generates higher engagement and profits.

“Since controversial content drives massive profits, social media platforms deliberately design their algorithms to give it more visibility than other types of information,” Ibrahim stated.

He urged stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of how disinformation affects the political, security, and economic landscape of West Africa, emphasizing the need for strategic measures to counter its impact.