FUTA Researchers Collaborate to Combat Fake News in Nigeria
Researchers at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) are leading efforts to combat fake news in Nigeria through a collaborative initiative funded by TETFUND's National Research Fund (NRF).
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
In a bid to tackle the pervasive issue of fake news and its detrimental impact on national unity, a stakeholder meeting convened by the Research Team of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) highlighted the urgent need for intervention. Supported by funding from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) through the National Research Fund (NRF), the initiative aims to address misinformation and its role in exacerbating social, ethnic, religious, and cultural divides in Nigeria.
The stakeholders, including representatives from FUTA students, and prominent media houses in Ondo State such as FUTA Radio, Adaba FM, Radio Nigeria, Positive FM, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), gathered at the Institute of Technology-Enhanced Learning and Digital Humanities, FUTA. Professor Titi Fola Adebayo, the Principal Investigator, emphasized the critical nature of the research, stating, "The rise of fake news undermines national integration by spreading misinformation through new media platforms."
The research objectives focus on identifying the characteristics of fake news in Nigeria, understanding socio-cultural factors that contribute to its propagation, and developing effective strategies to mitigate its impact on societal cohesion and security. Professor Adebayo outlined key methodologies, including content analysis of fake news in Nigerian Pidgin English, collaboration with governmental and non-governmental entities, and the production of educational materials to enhance media literacy.
Mrs. Adefolalu Adelayo, Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Ondo State, emphasized the dangers of unverified information and the misuse of social media for journalism, urging stakeholders to intensify public enlightenment campaigns. Retired Professor Bayo Aborisade echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for collective efforts to combat fake news and educate the public on its consequences for national development.
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The interdisciplinary Fake News Research Team comprises scholars from FUTA, University of Ibadan, and University of Maiduguri, reflecting a collaborative approach to address this pressing societal issue.
This initiative underscores FUTA's commitment to leveraging research and community engagement to promote informed discourse, combat misinformation, and foster national unity amidst diverse challenges.
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