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Mechanisation Key to Attracting Youths, Empowering Women in Agriculture — Oluremi Tinubu

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ABUJA — September 10, 2026 — Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has stressed the importance of agricultural mechanisation in transforming the nation’s agricultural sector, saying it is critical to empowering women, attracting young people into farming and strengthening Nigeria’s food security. Oluremi Tinubu said modern farming methods and access to mechanised equipment would help reduce the physical burden associated with agriculture while improving productivity and making farming more attractive to the younger generation. According to her, women play a significant role in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain and should be supported with the tools, technology, financing and training required to expand their contributions to food production and economic development. She also emphasised the need to encourage youths to see agriculture as a viable and profitable career rather than relying solely on traditional farming practices. The First Lady noted that increased mec...
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INEC WARNS: AI-DRIVEN DISINFORMATION COULD THREATEN TRUST IN NIGERIA’S 2027 ELECTION

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Date: September 3, 2026
From: Spotlight African Reporters

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns over the growing use of artificial intelligence to create and spread disinformation, warning that the trend could seriously undermine public trust in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the increasing sophistication and accessibility of AI tools have made it easier for individuals and groups to produce convincing fake audio, videos and images capable of misleading voters.
Amupitan raised the concern at the 13th Annual International Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) in Abuja. His keynote address was delivered on his behalf by INEC National Commissioner, Sani Adams, SAN.
According to the commission, the credibility of the 2027 elections will depend not only on the integrity of the ballot, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and result sheets, but also on how electoral information is communicated, understood and trusted by Nigerians.
INEC said it is conducting a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology infrastructure and is considering a mock presidential election to test the readiness of its systems ahead of the 2027 polls.
The commission also outlined measures to strengthen its response to the emerging threat. These include establishing a rapid-response mechanism capable of countering false information within the same news cycle, proactively explaining technological vulnerabilities and safeguards, strengthening collaboration with fact-checkers and technology platforms, and investing continuously in media and digital literacy.
INEC stressed that technology and communication can no longer be treated as separate components of election management.
The commission therefore urged journalists, technology experts, media scholars, fact-checkers, civil society organisations and Nigerians to work together to protect the integrity of electoral information and strengthen public confidence ahead of the 2027 elections.
As Nigeria moves closer to another crucial electoral cycle, INEC's warning highlights the growing battle for truth and credibility in the country's digital information space.

— Spotlight African Reporters

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