Applications are now open! Join the Ready to Run network - empowering young Nigerians with the skills, strategies, and networks to lead. Supported by the @EU_SDGN Programme #readytorun #democracyinaction #yiagaafrica

What will it take to protect Nigeria’s democracy in the age of AI? The conversations at #AIDF2026 raised critical questions and actionable recommendations ahead of the 2027 elections. But what happens next? The AIDF 2026 Outcome Document captures the key insights and recommendations shaping the way forward. Read the outcome document. Discover the recommendations. Be part of the conversation. 👉 shorturl.at/kLwfp #AIandDemocracy #ElectoralIntegrity #YiagaAfrica

Some people leave a mark through what they do. Others leave one through how they make you feel. @DCynthiaM does both. As our Director of Programmes, she brings conviction to the work, purpose to the conversations, and a deep commitment to the democracy we are all working to build. Today, we celebrate not just the leader she is, but the person behind the work. Now, let’s see who really knows Cynthia! What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Cynthia? Is it her signature hairstyle, a colour she loves, something she always says, her infectious energy, or a moment with her that stuck with you? Tell us in the comments. Let’s fill this space with Cynthia stories! #HappyBirthday

Yesterday, we took another important step in our preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections with the commencement of our election observation planning workshop. Over the next two days, we will be reviewing our observation methodology, strengthening our institutional systems, interrogating emerging risks to electoral integrity, and refining our strategies for providing independent, credible, and evidence-based oversight of the 2027 elections. #NigeriaDecides2027 #WatchingTheVote #ERAD

Day 1 of the AI and Democracy Forum brought critical perspectives on how AI could shape Nigeria’s 2027 elections, from emerging opportunities to risks that demand urgent attention. Thank you to our speakers, partners, facilitators and participants for making the conversations count. #AIDF2026 #AIandDemocracyForum #NigeriaDecides2027

“Please send proof of payment” is a sentence every Nigerian knows by heart. This week, it seems politics caught on. A video made the rounds that was older than some of the people sharing it. A list went out with names missing. A claim got a very public reply. And a few promises were made that can only be checked on the day itself. So what really counts as proof, and who gets to decide? Full gist in this week’s Ballo 👉 bit.ly/Series3Issue40

As Nigeria looks towards 2027, strengthening electoral integrity requires more than identifying digital threats. It demands the capacity to anticipate, detect and respond to them. At the AI and Democracy Forum 2026, conversations highlighted efforts to build the capacity of INEC’s National Chairmen and ICT teams to identify digital threats and strengthen the Commission’s systems against emerging cyber risks. The convening also provides an opportunity to explore partnerships with technology companies, including Microsoft, to address disinformation and strengthen resilience in an evolving electoral landscape. For Yiaga Africa, these conversations are critical. Responsible AI, stronger cybersecurity and collaboration among electoral bodies, technology companies and civil society will be essential to protecting information integrity and public trust ahead of the 2027 elections. The goal is clear: ensure technology strengthens democracy, not undermines it. #AIDF2026 #AIandDemocracy #NigeriaDecides2027 #ElectionIntegrity #YiagaAfrica

Highlights from Day 2 of the AI and Democracy Forum 2026! The Forum concluded with discussions on AI governance, electoral accountability and practical solutions, alongside masterclasses and the AI for Elections Sandbox Grand Finale. As we look ahead to Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections, the focus remains on responsible AI use and protecting electoral integrity. Watch the highlights as we conclude two days of discussions on responsible AI use and electoral integrity. #AIDF2026 #AIforDemocracyForum #NigeriaDecides2027

Congratulations to Election GPT by Pawavox, winner of the AIDF 2026 Innovation Sandbox! At the AI and Democracy Forum 2026, innovators presented practical AI-powered solutions to strengthen electoral integrity and protect democratic processes ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. Election GPT by Pawavox stood out for its approach to a critical election-day challenge: how to rapidly capture, verify, organise and act on large volumes of reports from observers and citizens. The solution combines secure voice and video capture with GPS location, timestamps and cryptographic signatures, helping preserve the integrity of field evidence. Its AI-enabled dashboard also allows election observers and command centres to search verified reports using simple questions, while its synthetic-media detection feature can support the review of suspicious online content. The AIDF Sandbox was designed to move the conversation beyond the risks of AI and toward practical, locally relevant solutions that can protect voters, strengthen verification and build public confidence in elections. Read the judges thoughts here yiaga.org/news/aidf-2026-san… We celebrate Pawavox and every innovator who took part in the Sandbox. Your ideas demonstrate that Africa can build responsible technology that strengthens, not weakens, democracy. #AIDF2026 #AIandDemocracy #ElectionIntegrity #ResponsibleAI #NigeriaDecides2027 #YiagaAfrica

From AI’s growing influence on Nigeria’s democracy to the risks it poses to electoral integrity, stakeholders explored what this means for Nigeria’s 2027 elections. Watch some key moments from Day 1. #AIDF2026 #AIforDemocracyForum #NigeriaDecides2027

Day 1 of the AI and Democracy Forum 2026 featured four masterclasses under the AI in Elections Academy, exploring how to harness artificial intelligence responsibly ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections. The sessions examined AI adoption in election administration, civil society oversight of electoral algorithms, journalists’ response to AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes, and the use of AI for election security, early warning and cyber resilience. Across the sessions, facilitators emphasised transparency, accountability, human rights and data protection as essential safeguards for deploying AI without undermining electoral integrity. #AIandDemocracyForum #AiDF2026

Deepfakes, AI-generated content, and manipulated information pose growing threats to the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections. Leading conversations during the third plenary on “The War for Reality: Deepfakes, Synthetic Media, and Foreign Information Manipulation in Nigeria’s 2027 Elections,” stakeholders focused attention on how emerging technologies could be used to mislead voters, impersonate candidates and election officials, and undermine public trust in electoral information. Moderated by Dr. Milliscent Nnwoka, Head of Communications at Yiaga Africa, the session featured David Ajikobi, Nigeria Editor at Africa Check; Silas Jonathan, Digital Investigations Manager at DAIDAC-CJID; and Prof. Suraj Olunifesi, Global Co-lead of the UNESCO University Network, MILID. Discussions addressed the risks of AI-generated misinformation and information manipulation, alongside the importance of fact-checking, digital verification tools, media literacy, and greater accountability from technology platforms. Ahead of 2027, protecting the integrity of electoral information will require coordinated action from electoral institutions, the media, civil society, and technology companies to ensure Nigerians can access credible information and make informed electoral decisions. #AIDF2026 #AIforDemocracyForum #NigeriaDecides2027