By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto

SOKOTO: Islamic clerics in Sokoto State have been cautioned against the spread of misinformation and false narratives, particularly on social media, as Nigeria gradually moves toward the 2027 general elections.

The warning was issued by the Editor of Alkalanci Media, Alhassan Bala, during a two-day capacity-building workshop for Islamic clerics, organized in collaboration with the Sokoto State Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Bala warned that the pre-election period often witnesses a surge in misinformation and disinformation, noting that Nigeria’s political significance makes it especially vulnerable to foreign information manipulation and interference.

He explained that the increasing use of artificial intelligence has further complicated the information space, with AI-generated images, videos and audio—commonly known as deepfakes—becoming more difficult to detect.

According to him, the workshop was deliberately designed to equip Islamic clerics with the skills needed to identify, verify and counter false information before it reaches the pulpit and the wider society.

Participants were drawn from across Sokoto State, with some clerics attending from neighbouring Niger Republic, highlighting the cross-border nature of misinformation in the digital age.

“Misinformation knows no borders,” Bala said, adding that clerics occupy a central position in society and wield significant influence through sermons, teachings and daily interactions with millions of followers.

He stressed that such influence carries a profound responsibility to ensure that information shared within communities is accurate, verified and promotes social harmony.

In his remarks, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Prof. Jabir Sani Mai Hula, highlighted the achievements of the ministry under Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration, including the construction of 30 congregational mosques in the last 30 months.

Mai Hula also disclosed that the ministry has trained about 2,300 Imams and Mu’azzims to strengthen their capacity in delivering Friday sermons and performing other religious duties effectively.

Speaker after speaker at the workshop, including representatives of traditional and religious institutions, emphasized the importance of verifying information before using mosque platforms for sermons and public guidance.

Representing the Sultan of Sokoto, the Sarkin Malammai, Malam Ahmed Umar Helele, cautioned participants against the dangers of fake news capable of fuelling tension, division and public disaffection within communities.

Similarly, the State Commissioner for Innovation and Digital Economy, Hon. Bashir Umarun Kwabo, urged clerics to apply the knowledge gained from the workshop to promote peace, stability and national cohesion through responsible and informed preaching.