Nigerian celebrities take on fake news epidemic via #FWDWithFacts

Prominent Nigerian celebrities, including Mrs Tolu Oniru (Toolz), Linda Ejiofor, Folu Storms, and Kiki Omeili, have launched a nationwide campaign to combat Nigeria’s growing misinformation crisis.

The campaign tagged #FWDWithFacts was inaugurated on Thursday in Abuja, in partnership with Gatefield, and global philanthropic organisation, Luminate.

The initiative aims to empower Nigerians with tools to identify and counter fake news while advocating for stronger content moderation by social media giants like Meta and X (formerly Twitter).

Ms Shirley Ewang, Advocacy Lead at Gatefield, said that the campaign, debuted with a public service announcement and grassroots outreach, and highlights the devastating impact of fake news in Africa’s most populous country.

“In one instance, a fake photo which circulated in 2018 sparked an ethnic conflict in Plateau State, leading to the loss of 12 lives,” she said.

Ewang said that the campaign also underscored the disparities in Big Tech’s approach to content moderation.

“While Europe benefits from strict regulations like the Digital Services Act, Africa is often left vulnerable.

“Africa deserves the same urgency and protection as other regions,” she said.

According to her, The #FWDWithFacts campaign calls on Nigerians to demand accountability through a petition targeting social media platforms and government regulators, urging them to prioritise transparency and proactive moderation.

“With misinformation threatening democracy, public safety and social stability, this campaign represents a bold step toward empowering citizens and holding Big Tech accountable,” she said.

Ms Kiki Omeili, a Nollywood actress and advocate for the initiative, stressed the urgent need for change:

“I have seen lives, relationships, and reputations destroyed because of fake news. It is time for people to think twice and verify before sharing harmful content,” Omeili said.

It was reported that during the 2023 elections, misinformation reached unprecedented levels, with over 100,000 false claims shared daily.

Experts blame a combination of low media literacy, weak content moderation, and algorithms that amplify sensational content.