The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have warned that irresponsible use of social media and the spread of misinformation could worsen insecurity and create unnecessary tension in Nigeria.
The warning was issued on Saturday in Abuja during a nationwide roadshow organised by the NIPR ahead of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), scheduled to hold in Abuja in November.
The Federal Capital Territory chapter of the NIPR began its sensitisation exercise from the Zoological Garden in Area 1, Abuja, urging members of the public to verify information before sharing it.
Speaking during the exercise, the NSCDC FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu, said the circulation of unverified information could trigger panic and contribute to attacks on innocent people.
Odumosu cautioned against sharing old videos and photographs as though they depicted current events, noting that such posts could create fear and tension.
He said some social media users circulated content without establishing its authenticity, warning that such irresponsible communication could encourage criminal activities, including attacks, kidnapping and banditry.
The commandant urged Nigerians, particularly young people who are active on social media, to verify information before forwarding or publishing it.
He said responsible communication was important to the fight against insecurity, stressing that information shared online could have consequences beyond the digital space.
The Chairman of the WPRF 2026 National Planning Committee, Dr Suleiman Haruna, also highlighted the challenges posed by the rapid growth of social media and artificial intelligence to information integrity.
Haruna acknowledged freedom of expression as a constitutional right but said its exercise should not infringe on the rights of others.
He said the WPRF would provide an opportunity for communication professionals and other stakeholders to examine how information could be produced, distributed and consumed more responsibly in the digital age.
The 2026 World Public Relations Forum is scheduled for November 15 to 21 in Abuja under the theme, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World.” It will be hosted alongside the 37th annual conference of the African Public Relations Association.
The NIPR said the forum is expected to bring together public relations and communication professionals, government representatives, academics, businesses and other stakeholders to discuss information integrity and the future of communication.
