Artificial intelligence is reshaping crisis communication in Nigeria, with new research highlighting its growing role in emergency response, fact-checking, media verification and institutional efforts to strengthen public trust while tackling the spread of misinformation during emergencies.
The findings are contained in a national research report titled: “AI in Crisis Communication in Nigeria,” which examines how the rapid adoption of AI is changing the way public institutions, emergency agencies and communication professionals manage crises in an increasingly digital information environment.
Speaking in Abuja, the Managing Director of Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), Yushau A. Shuaib, said the study explores both the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence in public communication.
“The study examines how artificial intelligence is transforming emergency communication, fact-checking, media verification, public trust, and institutional response during crises,” Shuaib saif.
He explained that the research goes beyond identifying emerging trends by offering policy and operational recommendations for strengthening institutional communication during emergencies.
“It offers practical recommendations for strengthening Nigeria’s crisis communication architecture and equipping spokespersons with emerging digital tools to combat misinformation and improve public engagement,” he said.
The report comes at a time when public institutions, media organisations and emergency management agencies are increasingly deploying artificial intelligence to analyse information, verify digital content, monitor online narratives and improve the speed of communication during disasters, security incidents and public health emergencies. The rapid growth of AI-generated content has also heightened concerns over disinformation, manipulated media and declining public confidence in official information, prompting renewed attention to verification systems and communication protocols.
The study examines how these developments are influencing crisis management in Nigeria and assesses the capacity of institutions to integrate emerging technologies into public communication while maintaining credibility, transparency and accountability.
Its findings will be presented during the 2026 Economic Confidential Annual Lecture, where policymakers, communication experts, media practitioners, academics and public officials are expected to discuss the implications of technological innovation for governance and public information management.
The annual lecture will focus on “Anti-Corruption Reforms, Economic Stability and Effective Communication,” with the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
According to Shuaib, the lecture is expected to examine “the role of transparency, accountability, and strategic communication in promoting economic resilience and strengthening public confidence in national institutions.”
The programme will also feature the presentation of the 2026 National Spokespersons Awards, with finalists selected after what Shuaib described as “a rigorous and independent assessment by a distinguished jury comprising senior editors, communication scholars, and public relations experts.”
He noted that the awards recognise excellence in public communication across government institutions, security agencies, regulatory agencies and the private sector, reflecting the growing importance of strategic communication in governance, public administration and corporate management.
The report adds to a growing body of research on the application of artificial intelligence in public sector communication as governments around the world seek to harness emerging technologies to improve crisis preparedness, strengthen institutional responses and address the evolving challenges posed by misinformation in the digital age.
