On a bright, expectant morning in Abuja, the kind of morning when the city’s usual chaos hums with possibility, a group of communicators, security officials, and concerned citizens gathered not for a celebration, but for a wake-up call. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had chosen this public roadshow, organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), to deliver a message that cut through the noise of daily life: misinformation is not a harmless digital pastime. It is a weapon. It can destabilize communities, inflame tensions, and put innocent lives at risk. The Commandant of the NSCDC Federal Capital Territory Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, stood before the crowd with a calm but urgent demeanor, warning that the spread of propaganda and unverified information, especially on social media, could worsen insecurity and trigger attacks on ordinary Nigerians. His words were not abstract. They were grounded in the painful reality of a nation where banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence already stretch the limits of public trust. The event, held ahead of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum, was meant to be a precursor to a larger global conversation, but for those present, it felt more like a family meeting where hard truths had to be spoken. The statement, later released by the NIPR FCT Chapter Chairman, Stanley Ogadigo, captured the essence of the moment: before we can build a safer Nigeria, we must learn to communicate responsibly.
Odumosu did not mince words. He described a scenario that has become all too familiar in Nigeria’s digital spaces: someone wakes up, scrolls through old files, finds a video from twenty years ago showing a crisis in one part of the country, and then repackages it as if it were happening today. The video is shared with a caption warning people to avoid a particular city, say Kano, with instructions to take a detour because violence is allegedly about to erupt. The video goes viral. Panic spreads. Families change their plans. Markets empty. And in some cases, innocent people are attacked simply because they are in the wrong place at the wrong time, caught in the crossfire of a lie. “Somebody would just wake up from somewhere,” Odumosu said, his voice carrying the weight of someone who has seen the consequences of such reckless behavior. “Bring out a video that is as old as 20 years, where maybe a crisis happened, target happenings now in places like Kano State and start dishing out instructions like ‘Everybody, if you are going to Kano, please take a detour.’” He called this kind of irresponsible communication dangerous, noting that it can heat the political climate and create chaos. The tragedy, he explained, is that many Nigerians do not take the time to verify what they see before sharing it. They assume that if it is on social media, it must be true. They forward it to family groups, WhatsApp communities, and Twitter timelines, never pausing to ask where the information came from or whether it has any basis in reality. By the time the truth emerges, the damage is already done. Trust is broken, communities are divided, and innocent people have paid the price for someone else’s carelessness.
The solution, according to Odumosu, lies in a simple but powerful shift in behavior: responsible communication. He urged Nigerians, particularly the young people who dominate social media, to think before they post, share, or comment. In a country as diverse and complex as Nigeria, where ethnic and religious lines can be easily manipulated, every message carries weight. A careless post about one group can be interpreted as an attack by another. A rumor about a kidnapping can send a neighborhood into a frenzy. A fabricated story about a government policy can spark protests that turn violent. “People ought to know that it is not too good to send out information that can heat the polity or things that can make people start attacking themselves and encourage banditry, kidnapping and all of that,” Odumosu said. His words were directed at everyone, but especially at the youth, who are often the most active and influential voices online. He reminded them that social media is not a playground where consequences do not matter. It is a public square where words can either build or destroy. The commandant’s message was not just about avoiding harm; it was about embracing a culture of verification. Before sharing a message, ask: Is this true? Where did it come from? What will happen if I share it? These simple questions, he suggested, could save lives. He also praised the theme of the upcoming World Public Relations Forum, “Responsible Communications: Voice of the World,” as timely and apt, noting that the world is crying out for a more honest, thoughtful, and humane way of communicating.
The call for responsible communication was echoed by Dr. Suleiman Haruna, Chairman of the National Planning Committee for the World Public Relations Forum. Haruna pointed to a new and even more complex challenge: the growing influence of artificial intelligence. In an age where AI can generate realistic images, videos, and voices, the line between truth and falsehood is becoming dangerously blurred. A deepfake video of a politician saying something inflammatory can be created in minutes and spread across the globe in hours. A manipulated image of a crime scene can be used to incite revenge attacks. AI-powered bots can amplify divisive messages faster than human moderators can remove them. Haruna explained that the forum’s theme was designed to address these concerns head-on, to bring together voices from around the world to discuss how we can protect information integrity and prevent the misuse of communication platforms. This is not just a Nigerian problem; it is a global crisis. But Nigeria, with its vibrant youth population and its position as Africa’s largest democracy, has a unique opportunity to lead the conversation. The forum, Haruna suggested, would be a space where journalists, public relations professionals, government officials, tech experts, and ordinary citizens could come together to chart a path forward. It would be a place to ask hard questions: How do we hold each other accountable? How do we balance free speech with social responsibility? How do we ensure that technology serves humanity rather than dividing it? These are not easy questions, but they are essential ones. And the fact that Nigeria is hosting this global conversation is a sign that the country is ready to take a leadership role in shaping the future of communication.
Stanley Ogadigo, the NIPR FCT Chapter Chairman, framed the event as something much bigger than a conference. He called it a “reputation project” for Nigeria, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape how the world sees the country. “Today is a very remarkable day because Nigeria is hosting the World Public Relations Forum,” he said. “This project is very significant to Nigeria because, for us, it’s a reputation project for the country. Nigeria has fought very hard to win this hosting right. This is the first time the World Public Relations Forum will be hosted in Nigeria. For the entire continent of Africa, this is the second time.” His pride was palpable. For too long, Nigeria has been portrayed in the global media through the lens of corruption, poverty, and insecurity. But the country has another story to tell, a story of resilience, creativity, entrepreneurship, and cultural richness. Hosting the World Public Relations Forum is a chance to tell that story on a global stage, to show the world that Nigeria is not just a place of problems, but a place of solutions. Ogadigo called on every responsible Nigerian and every corporate entity to support the event, not as a favor to the organizers, but as an investment in the nation’s image. He revealed that the Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, has been giving the event the attention it deserves, and that major institutions like the World Bank, the United Nations, and the World Customs Organisation are expected to participate. Perhaps most notably, he announced that business magnate Aliko Dangote had committed to attending and supporting the event. This level of support, from both government and the private sector, signals that Nigeria is serious about presenting itself as a hub for dialogue and innovation. It is a chance to welcome the world with open arms and say, “Look at us. We are more than the headlines. We are a nation of possibility.”
As the roadshow came to an end, the message lingered in the air like a challenge. The World Public Relations Forum, set to attract about 3,000 delegates from 126 member countries of the Global Alliance, is not just a gathering of professionals. It is a mirror held up to the way we communicate with each other, not just as Nigerians, but as human beings. The forum is being organized in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the NIPR, and it has the backing of the Presidency. On August 20, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, assured the organizers of the government’s full support when he received the WPRF Abuja 2026 Planning Committee at the State House. That support is crucial, but the real work will happen long after the delegates leave. It will happen in the way a young person decides not to share a rumor. It will happen in the way a journalist verifies a source before publishing. It will happen in the way a community leader corrects false information instead of amplifying it. The forum’s theme, “Responsible Communications: Voice of the World,” is a reminder that communication is not just about speaking; it is about listening, verifying, and caring. It is about recognizing that behind every screen is a human being with a family, a history, and a future. The roadshow in Abuja was a small event, but it carried a big message: we all have a role to play in building a safer, more honest world. And it starts with the words we choose, the images we share, and the responsibility we take for the information we put into the world. Nigeria has been given the microphone. The question is whether we will use it wisely.