President Bola Tinubu.
The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, plans to spend N138,066,187 to fight fake news and make calendars. Some of the money will also be used for ministers’ media appearances and organizing interactions with social media influencers, among other things.
These details are part of the 2024 Appropriation Bill currently under consideration by the National Assembly. The campaign against fake news was started by former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Muhammed, in a 2021 interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, mentioned that Nigeria has moved from regular fake news to more serious “deep” fake news. According to him, this type of fake news is being used to attack the government and its officials.
He also noted that initially, those spreading deep fake news were mostly unknown online publications. However, it’s unfortunate that some well-known and respected publications, along with mainstream media, have also started doing this. Muhammed emphasized that citizens caught spreading false information would face consequences.
The 2024 budget includes an allocation of N24.5 million for, “special enlightenment campaign on government’s programmes and policies, testimonial series to gauge the impact of government policies on the citizenry.
“Advocacy against fake news, hate speech, farmers-herders clashes, banditry, rape, etc.”
The information also revealed that the government plans to use N40 million to make calendars.
Additionally, N30 million is set aside for reaching out to foreign media, while N20.7 million is allocated for ministers, influencers, and analysts to engage with the public through print and social media.
The government also intends to invest N21.7 million in developing social media platforms and collaborating with other platforms. President Bola Tinubu presented the 2024 budget to the National Assembly last week.