Nigerian Islamic council urges clerics to fight fake news

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called on Islamic clerics to champion truth and verify information before disseminating it to the public, particularly in their sermons. Speaking in Abuja, NSCIA Secretary-General Prof. Is-haq Oloyede stressed that misinformation and disinformation contribute significantly to communal clashes, heightened religious tensions, and societal mistrust.

“

In Northern Nigeria, as well as across the country, our communities are navigating a complex information ecosystem. Rumours spread faster than the truth. Misinformation fuels mistrust, inflames divisions, and too often leads to real-world harm, from health crises to communal conflict.

Oloyede, represented by NSCIA Public Affairs Officer Abbas Jimoh, highlighted the complex information ecosystem in Nigeria, where rumors often spread faster than truth. He noted that misinformation fuels mistrust, inflames divisions, and leads to real-world harm, ranging from health crises to communal conflict. The consequences are particularly severe in societies where emotions, identities, and beliefs can be exploited by malicious actors.

“

Unfortunately, misinformation and disinformation have contributed to misunderstandings among communities, heightened religious and ethnic tensions, undermined public trust and, in some instances, fuelled insecurity and violence.

"This reality places a significant responsibility on religious leaders," Oloyede stated. He emphasized that Islamic clerics and scholars hold positions of trust and influence, with millions of Nigerians receiving guidance from them weekly. As trusted voices, religious leaders are uniquely positioned to promote caution, verification, and critical thinking.

“

This reality places a significant responsibility on religious leaders. Islamic clerics and scholars occupy positions of trust and influence within society.

The NSCIA reminded clerics that the principles of fact-checking are deeply rooted in Islamic teachings, citing a verse in the Glorious Qur'an (49:6) that instructs believers to verify information before acting upon it. The council urged religious leaders to encourage their communities to pause before sharing information, verify before believing, and seek evidence before making judgments to foster social harmony and national unity. Professor Khalid Abubakar Aliyu of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam also urged clerics to remain apolitical and verify information.

“

Religious leaders must become champions of truth, peace and informed citizenship. They must encourage their communities to pause before sharing information, verify before believing, and seek evidence before making judgments.