INEC and Yiaga Africa Collaborate to Combat AI Threats Ahead of 2027 Elections

As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is taking proactive steps to safeguard the electoral process from the potential threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI). In partnership with Yiaga Africa and other stakeholders, INEC announced plans to establish a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division aimed at addressing issues such as deepfakes, misinformation, and digital voter manipulation.

This initiative was highlighted during the 2026 AI and Democracy Forum held at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, which brought together electoral authorities, technology companies, and civil society organizations. The forum, themed “Safeguarding the 2027 General Elections in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” focused on developing practical measures to enhance the integrity of the upcoming elections.

Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of INEC, urged Nigerians to evaluate his leadership based on the reforms and safeguards being implemented for the 2027 elections rather than the controversies surrounding the 2023 polls. He emphasized the commission's commitment to rebuilding trust through transparent procedures and institutional reforms.

The newly proposed AI Division will be part of INEC's Information and Communications Technology Department. Its primary role will be to assess emerging technologies, manage associated risks, and explore responsible applications of AI, including data-driven risk assessments and election logistics. INEC is also collaborating with technology and development partners to create an AI governance framework that ensures technology enhances electoral administration without undermining human judgment or voter intent.

Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, warned that the threats posed by AI are no longer hypothetical. He highlighted the potential dangers of AI being used to impersonate INEC officials or disseminate false election results, which could lead to significant unrest. The ability of AI to create convincing audio, video, and images poses a serious risk to the integrity of political discourse and the electoral process.

The forum also featured insights from Abdoulaye Sylla, chairperson of Senegal’s electoral commission and the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC). He stressed the importance of ensuring that AI enhances rather than undermines the credibility of electoral processes. Sylla called for technology to serve democracy, emphasizing that it should not replace democratic accountability or human judgment.

The discussions at the forum underscored the critical need for public trust in the electoral process. Stakeholders agreed that INEC must clearly communicate how AI-assisted systems function, the decisions they influence, and the measures in place to identify errors and prevent misuse. The speed and credibility of official communications will be vital in countering the spread of fabricated results or manipulated recordings.

As the 2027 election cycle approaches, the collaborative efforts between INEC, Yiaga Africa, and various technology partners aim to produce coordinated responses that will bolster the integrity of Nigeria's electoral system. The forum concluded with a commitment to developing strategies that ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in the electoral process, thereby reinforcing public confidence in the upcoming elections.