DICAN Conference Raises Alarm Over Information Warfare, Launches National Fact-Check Network

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Stakeholders at the 2nd Diplomatic, Security, Trade, and Investment International Conference have warned that the growing threat of information warfare, deepfakes, and coordinated disinformation campaigns poses a danger to global security, democratic institutions, trade, and investment.

The conference, organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria in collaboration with the Centre for Communication Development and Diplomacy in Africa, PR Nigeria, and other strategic partners, was held on May 20, 2026, at the Rotunda Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.

The event, themed “Information Warfare: Strengthening Global Security, Trade and Investment Through Collaborative Truth –

The Role of Diplomacy, Intelligence and Media,” brought together diplomats, security chiefs, senior government officials, academics, civil society organisations, and international media practitioners.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the conference and signed by DICAN Chairman, Mr. Idehai Frederick, participants described information warfare as a rapidly evolving global threat driven by sophisticated technologies and artificial intelligence.

According to the communiqué, “Information warfare has transformed from amateurish fake news into highly sophisticated, industrial-scale operations,” adding that more than 70 per cent of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) campaigns now deploy generative AI and deepfake technology to create diplomatic tensions, simulate market instability, and manipulate public opinion.

The conference further noted that information manipulation has become a major economic threat, costing the global economy an estimated $100 billion annually through lost investments, market volatility, and increased security spending.

Participants expressed concern that with over 40 countries conducting major elections between 2024 and 2026, “micro-targeted disinformation is being weaponised by foreign and domestic actors to hijack public opinion, distort electoral choices, and delegitimise democratic outcomes.”

The communiqué also warned that in Nigeria and across Africa, false information and digital propaganda are increasingly being exploited by insurgent groups and separatist movements to fuel ethnic and religious tensions, undermine regional trade, and weaken diplomatic alliances.

Despite the concerns, the conference acknowledged positive developments in Nigeria’s economic diplomacy, revealing that the country’s non-oil exports reached a record $6.1 billion in 2025, representing an 11.5 per cent increase over 2024.
Participants stressed that sustaining investor confidence and economic growth would require “absolute information integrity.”

A major highlight of the conference was the official launch of the Nigeria Fact-Check and Information Integrity Network (NFIIN), a coalition-driven initiative coordinated by DICAN, CCDDA, PR Nigeria, and 69 civil society organisations across the 36 states of the federation.
The network established six regional situation rooms with dedicated desk officers tasked with monitoring, verifying, and countering misinformation and false narratives.

The conference also unveiled a tri-lingual public integrity campaign featuring media literacy slogans translated into English, Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo, including “Verify Before You Share,” “Truth Matters: Build a Stronger, Safer Society,” and “Think Before You Share.”

Awards of Excellence were presented to notable individuals and institutions recognised for promoting peace, democracy, and information integrity. Honourees included former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution.

The conference urged governments to treat information integrity as a core component of national security by investing in civic education, digital literacy, and technologies capable of detecting AI-generated disinformation and deepfakes.

“Public institutions must share accurate, verified information quickly. When official channels are transparent and accessible, it leaves no room for rumour and propaganda to take hold,” the communiqué stated.

International partners and diplomatic missions were encouraged to support local journalists and researchers with technical grants and advanced tools to expose foreign influence operations and state-sponsored disinformation.

For media practitioners, participants emphasised the importance of accuracy and ethical journalism.
“Being first should never matter more than being right,” the communiqué declared, while urging media organisations to collaborate through fact-checking networks like NFIIN before publishing viral content.

The conference further called on intelligence and security agencies to strengthen cooperation with credible media organisations by sharing verified information during crises without compromising sensitive operations.

It also recommended closer monitoring of local language content and encrypted messaging platforms allegedly used by extremist groups to incite violence and division.

Corporate organisations were advised to support fact-checking initiatives as part of efforts to protect economic stability and investor confidence, while citizens, especially young people, were urged to embrace digital responsibility.

“Before hitting share or forward, take a moment to think and verify, remembering that a single unverified post can cause real-world panic or violence,” the communiqué warned.

The organisers expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for hosting the conference and announced that the 2027 edition would focus on the intersection of information warfare, migration, human trafficking, and global security.