Gbolahan Salman Sokoto
Sokoto State has commenced a two-day workshop to train Islamic clerics on combating misinformation, deepfakes, and foreign information manipulation as Nigeria inches closer to another election cycle.
The programme which holds between Monday and Tuesday, organised by Alkalanci in collaboration with the Sokoto State Ministry of Religious Affairs, brings together clerics from across the state and neighbouring Niger Republic to strengthen media literacy, verification skills and responsible public communication.
Declaring the training open on behalf of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, Mallam Ahmad Umar Helele commended the initiative, noting that it comes at a critical period not only ahead of elections but also as Muslims prepare for Ramadan.
He warned against falsehood and propaganda, citing Qur’anic verses condemning misinformation. He urged clerics not to allow themselves to be used to spread lies that could damage the reputation of others or destabilise society.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Editor of Alkalanci, Alhassan Bala, said the rise of AI-generated fake content and online propaganda poses new threats to peace and public trust.
“A single image, video or message can reach thousands of people within minutes,” he cautioned. “If such information is misleading or harmful, it becomes a direct threat to unity and social cohesion.”
He added that clerics, being among the most trusted influencers in northern communities, have a critical responsibility to verify information before sharing it with followers. He described the training as part of a growing model the organisation intends to expand to other states after earlier sessions in Kano.
The Sarkin Malamai of Sokoto, Sheikh Yahaya Muhammad Boyi, also praised the initiative and encouraged clerics to apply the knowledge especially as Ramadan approaches, a period traditionally marked by daily public lectures.
He warned that unverified information could mislead the public or heighten tensions, urging participants to adopt a culture of inquiry and verification.
Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Dr. Jabir Maihula, said the state government had recently trained 2,300 clerics to improve messaging and reduce the spread of harmful content. He added that 30 Jumaat mosques had been renovated and commissioned in the last 30 months despite lean resources.
He stressed that the influence clerics command at the grassroots makes them key partners in deradicalisation and peacebuilding.
“By training them, we are training the trainers,” he said.
Commissioner for Innovation and Digital Economy, Bashir Umar Kwabo, said misinformation contradicts Islamic teachings and is punishable under Nigeria’s cybercrime laws, with penalties reaching up to seven years imprisonment.
He expressed confidence that the workshop would promote responsible digital engagement and enhance peaceful coexistence across the state.
The organisers said the training would expose participants to practical tools for verifying text, images and videos, build critical thinking skills, and create networks of trusted voices capable of countering misinformation in Hausa-speaking communities.
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