FactCheckAfrica Awarded Technical Assistance Contract Under EU-Funded ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance Programme
Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria – May 2026
FactCheckAfrica is proud to announce its selection as the technical assistance contractor for Lot 1 (Nigeria) of the project titled “Service for Training and Technical Assistance in the Development of Activities on Disinformation, Fact-Checking and AI Learning” within the framework of the EU Support to the ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance Programme(EPSG).
This contract has been awarded by the Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas (FIAP), F.S.P., a Spanish cooperation entity, as part of the EU Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project. FIAP is currently co-implementing Component 3 of the EPSG Project in West Africa in collaboration with GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), focusing on strengthening electoral processes by preventing electoral violence and countering misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech. The overall objective of the EPSG Project is to enhance peace, security, and governance in the ECOWAS region. It is multi-donor initiative co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Denmark.
About the Programme
The EU Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) programme is the successor to the ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture and Operations (EPSAO) initiative. It focuses on strengthening the capacity of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to address critical challenges in peace, security and governance across the West African region.
Component 3 of the EPSG programme specifically targets the strengthening of electoral integrity, aimed at preventing expressions of violence during electoral and post-electoral cycles. This component addresses the growing threat of disinformation narratives, hate speech, and the weaponisation of artificial intelligence to polarise public discourse, particularly in Nigeria, The Gambia, and Benin with electoral cycles in 2026 and 2027.
Scope of FactCheckAfrica’s Mandate in Nigeria
Under this 25-month contract, FactCheckAfrica will serve as a First Line Organisation, deploying its local presence, technical expertise, and established networks across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to deliver a comprehensive set of capacity-building interventions. These include:
- Technical support to media outlets and civil society organisations to strengthen ongoing initiatives around democratic and peaceful elections
- Training camps for social media influencers on electoral integrity and responsible online conduct
- Support for the implementation of youth-led and women-centred social media advocacy campaigns for electoral peace
- Organisation of interactive webinars with participation from media organisations
- Financial support for fact-checking platforms as a tool to counter hate speech, disinformation, fraud, and election-related violence
- Training for media practitioners in indigenous Nigerian languages for inclusive electoral coverage
- An international forum on disinformation in electoral contexts in West Africa
- Capacity-building for civil society organisations and media on electoral transparency, good governance, and access to reliable information
- An international case study seminar on measures and countermeasures for managing political crises in fragile contexts
All activities will be implemented with a strong commitment to gender inclusion, regional balance, and the meaningful participation of youth, women, journalists, community leaders, and civil society actors from across Nigeria’s diverse geographies.
Statement from FactCheckAfrica
“We are deeply honoured by the trust placed in FactCheckAfrica by FIAP and the EPSG donors, in particular, the European Union and The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Denmark through this important mandate. West Africa is at a critical juncture, with electoral cycles approaching and the volume of digital disinformation at historic highs. This contract positions us to do what we do best: equip journalists, civil society organisations, social media influencers, and communities with the knowledge, tools, and critical thinking skills needed to protect the integrity of democratic processes.
We are acutely aware of the responsibility this mandate carries. We will bring rigour, local knowledge, and genuine commitment to every activity, ensuring that each deliverable serves the citizens of Nigeria and contributes to a broader culture of peace, accountability, and verified information across West Africa.
We extend our profound gratitude to the European Union, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Denmark for their sustained investment in democratic governance in West Africa, to FIAP for the confidence placed in our organisation, and to ECOWAS for the regional leadership that makes initiatives like this possible. We also acknowledge the vital role of our partners across civil society, the media, and government who will walk this journey with us.”
— Abideen Olasupo, Founder, FactCheckAfrica
About FactCheckAfrica
FactCheckAfrica is a Nigeria-based organisation dedicated to the promotion of accurate information, media literacy, and the fight against disinformation in the African context. With deep roots in West African civil society and a proven track record of working with media organisations, election monitors, and community stakeholders, FactCheckAfrica brings both technical expertise and grassroots credibility to its work.
Website: factcheckafrica.net | factcheckelections@gmail.com | +2347068775529
About FIAP
The Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas (FIAP) is a Spanish Cooperation entity specialised in promoting the participation of public administrations in Spanish and European cooperation programmes and projects. FIAP supports the development of public systems in more than 120 countries. FIAP does so by mobilising public sector talent to foster the exchange of knowledge and experience between counterpart institutions from different countries. As a public foundation, FIAP’s work forms part of Spain’s and Europe’s external action. It serves as the implementing entity for this contract under the Component 3 of the EPSG project
Website: fiap.gob.es | juridico@fiap.gob.es
Media Enquiries: FactCheckAfrica Communications: factcheckelections@gmail.com, +2347068775529
Phone Address Email
+2347068775529 2, Shalom Street, Junction, factcheckelections@gmail.com
University Road, Ilorin, Kwara State.
