Alhaji Lai Mohammed, former Minister of Information and Culture, has expressed concerns regarding the growing prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI) in creating fake news, deepfakes, and forged audio content, warning it could threaten democracy, public trust, and national security. He delivered these remarks at the inaugural public lecture of Caleb University in Lagos on the topic “Fake News, Disinformation and Artificial Intelligence: Defending Truth and Public Trust in the Digital Age.”
According to Mohammed, the increasing sophistication of these technologies has made it simpler to sway public opinion, distort political discussions, and disseminate false narratives that could potentially incite violence and social unrest. He emphasized that AI has significantly altered the information landscape, enabling the production of realistic fake images, videos, and even voices with minimal expense.
He cautioned that the emergence of deepfakes complicates efforts to verify the authenticity of digital evidence, particularly in electoral and politically charged periods. Mohammed referred to this phenomenon as the ‘liar’s dividend,’ wherein individuals could use awareness of AI-generated content to dismiss legitimate recordings as fabrications. This, he pointed out, presents notable challenges to journalism, law enforcement, the judicial system, and democratic accountability.
Reflecting on his tenure in government, he noted that the federal government initiated the National Campaign Against Fake News and Misinformation in July 2018 due to the severe implications of false information on national security and social cohesion. This campaign came after discussions at a National Council on Information session focused on the impact of fake news and hate speech.
Mohammed gave a personal example of how false reports can create familial discord, recalling an incident in which he was wrongfully accused of having an immense sum of money in a bank account, to which his wife reacted with concern.
He referred to instances where misinformation has led to real-world consequences, including violent outbreaks in India linked to false messages about child abductions and a recent incident in Nigeria where a TikTok user allegedly staged a fake attack to gain followers.
During his lecture, Mohammed urged the government to avoid misusing the fight against misinformation to suppress legitimate dissent. He stated that a democratic government should not expect citizens to accept all its claims uncritically, highlighting its obligation to provide accurate and verifiable information.
He called for enhanced fact-checking and verification efforts among journalists, asserting that credible journalism is crucial in an environment increasingly filled with synthetic content. Additionally, he urged educational institutions to incorporate media and information literacy into their curricula, advocating for critical examination of sensational claims and original sources.
In conclusion, Mohammed recommended stronger technological safeguards, responsible deployment of AI, public education, and the protection of free expression as essential defenses against misinformation. The Vice-Chancellor of Caleb University, Professor Olalekan Asikhia, underscored the significance of the lecture in light of the escalating difficulties in differentiating between authentic and fabricated content, noting the high percentage of Nigerians expressing concerns over misinformation online.
