Sanwo-Olu urges media to combat misinformation ahead of 2027 elections

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has urged the media to uphold professionalism, verify information and combat misinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sanwo-Olu gave the charge on Thursday in Lagos, while speaking as the Special Guest Speaker at the seventh annual lecture organised by Freedom Online, with the theme, “2027 Elections, Economy, Security and Nigeria’s Future.”

He said the media had a critical role to play in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy by providing citizens with credible information and holding political actors accountable.

The governor urged journalists and media organisations to go beyond reporting political activities and scrutinise information circulating on social media, particularly with the increasing use of artificial intelligence.

“The most dangerous information will not come from newspapers. It will come from anonymous accounts and doctored videos.

“You are the institution best placed to review, analyse, criticise and verify this information,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor urged the media to report the challenges confronting the country while also highlighting policies and initiatives capable of driving development.

“I am asking you to tell the whole story. I am not asking you to hide the problems; I am asking you to give the same energy to the things that work,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu also identified insecurity and economic development as closely connected issues, stressing that sustainable economic growth could not be achieved in an environment where citizens and businesses were unsafe.

“We speak of the economy and insecurity as though they were two subjects. They are one,” he said.

The governor said governments at all levels must continue to create an environment that would attract investment, support businesses and provide opportunities for young Nigerians.

According to him, job creation remains one of the most effective ways of empowering citizens and reducing social vulnerabilities.

“The most effective value is a job,” Sanwo-Olu said, stressing the need for policies that would expand economic opportunities and improve the standard of living of Nigerians.

On the removal of the fuel subsidy, the governor said the decision was driven by the need to address an unsustainable burden on the nation’s finances.

“The subsidy was not removed because anybody enjoyed removing it. The subsidy was removed because it had become an unsustainable national burden,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu urged Nigerians to continue to engage constructively in the democratic process, adding that the 2027 elections should further consolidate the country’s democratic experience.

“Whatever the outcome, I expect Nigeria to add one more milestone to its democratic record,” he said.

Earlier, the Special Guest of Honour, Sen. Gbenga Daniel, said Nigeria’s political and economic challenges required collective efforts and constructive engagement among stakeholders.

Daniel, a former governor of Ogun, said the country’s future depended largely on the ability of political leaders, professionals, the media and citizens to contribute positively to national development.

Also speaking, the Convener of the lecture and Publisher of Freedom Online, Mr Gabriel Akinadewo, said the annual event was designed to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine critical national issues and proffer solutions.

Akinadewo said the choice of the theme reflected the importance of examining the intersection between elections, the economy, security and the future of Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.