Digital Africa Research and Safety Lab

4 weeks ago, we began investigating suspicious activity within Nigeria Twitter related to Alex Saab We identified several clusters of Nigerians including journalists [and news sites] deploying overt & covert tactics to shape opinion Here’s our joint investigation with BuzzFeed

Today, 9 November, marks 68 days until #NigeriaDecides on 16 January 2027. BEWARE OF FAKE ACCOUNTS PRETENDING TO BE CANDIDATES. Across multiple election cycles, DigiAfricaLab has seen fake accounts use candidates’ names and photos. Supporters, opponents and news outlets sometimes rush to share announcements from these accounts as the candidates’ statements. Even a genuine announcement does not prove who runs the account. Ask the campaign to confirm the announcement before sharing it as the candidate’s position. Political parties and campaign teams should warn people about fake accounts and correct statements their candidates did not make. Tech platforms should review reports quickly, act on accounts pretending to be candidates, and explain what action was taken. Recognise risky content and behaviour. Avoid making harm worse. Respond responsibly. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

68 days until #NigeriaDecides. In past elections, DigiAfricaLab has seen fake accounts copy candidates’ names and photos. Supporters, opponents and media sometimes share such posts. Check who runs it before sharing. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

8 November marks 69 days until #NigeriaDecides on 16 January 2027. BEWARE OF FAKE ACCOUNTS PRETENDING TO BE YOUR BANK. You complain about your bank online. Then an account using the bank’s logo and a similar name replies quickly. It messages you privately and asks you to continue on WhatsApp. When you need help urgently, a quick reply can feel reassuring. A familiar logo or WhatsApp Business account does not prove the person represents your bank. Follow up through the bank’s app or the customer care number. Do not use links or new numbers sent by the account. Platforms should act on scam accounts. Recognise risky content and behaviour. Avoid making harm worse. Respond responsibly. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

Today, 7 November, marks 70 days until #NigeriaDecides on 16 January 2027. RECOGNISE RISKY CONTENT AND BEHAVIOUR. Digital threats can come from what people post and do. Look out for threatening replies, home addresses shared to encourage attacks, or messages urging others to harass someone. Before sharing, ask yourself: Who could be harmed? Could this make someone afraid to speak or vote? Report threats using the app’s reporting tools. Platforms should act on reported threats. Government should protect people’s safety and freedom to speak, campaign and vote. Recognise risky content and behaviour. Avoid making harm worse. Respond responsibly. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

72 days until #NigeriaDecides. REPORT A BANK SCAM TO YOUR BANK. Have you sent money to a scammer? Report it through your banking app or call the bank's publicly-available support number. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

75 days until #NigeriaDecides. WHATSAPP MONEY REQUEST? CALL THEM FIRST. Call their usual phone number before sending money. A scammer may have taken over the account. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

Today, 1 November, marks 76 days until #NigeriaDecides on 16 January 2027. HELP PEOPLE FACING ABUSE WITHOUT BLAMING THEM. A friend receives threats after sharing a political opinion. Worried for their safety, you say, “You should have stayed out of politics.” That can leave them feeling blamed and afraid to speak again. Instead, say something like: “The threats are wrong. How can I support you?” Offer support publicly or privately without repeating the abuse or exposing private details. Platforms should act on threats that make people afraid to speak. Recognise risky content and behaviour. Avoid making harm worse. Respond responsibly. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

76 days until #NigeriaDecides. HELP PEOPLE FACING ABUSE WITHOUT BLAMING THEM. Worried for a friend? Try saying: “The threats are wrong. How can I support you?” Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

Today, 30 October, marks 78 days until #NigeriaDecides on 16 January 2027. ASK BEFORE SHARING SOMEONE’S STORY OF ABUSE. A woman tells a friend privately about threats she received after a campaign meeting. The friend posts her story online to ask for help, including her name and photograph. She had not agreed to tell her story publicly. The post can bring unwanted attention and make her feel exposed. Ask before publishing someone’s experience. Agree what they are comfortable sharing and what should remain private. Even with permission, consider which details could expose them to further harm. Recognise risky content and behaviour. Avoid making harm worse. Respond responsibly. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

78 days until #NigeriaDecides. ASK BEFORE SHARING SOMEONE’S STORY OF ABUSE. A friend tells you privately about abuse. Ask before posting their story or photograph. Protect details that could expose them. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

Today, 29 October, marks 79 days until #NigeriaDecides on 16 January 2027. REPORT ONLINE ABUSE WITHOUT REPOSTING IT. You see an abusive post about an election observer. You repost it and tag an organisation, asking them to intervene. Your intention is to help, but people who had not seen the abuse can now see and share it too. Use the app’s reporting tools on the original post. If you need to alert a support organisation, contact it privately and share only what it needs to understand the concern. You can speak against the abuse without repeating it or exposing the observer’s private details. Recognise risky content and behaviour. Avoid making harm worse. Respond responsibly. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

79 days until #NigeriaDecides. REPORT ONLINE ABUSE WITHOUT REPOSTING IT. Reposting abuse to ask for help can spread it further. Report the original. Seek support privately when sharing sensitive details. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027