As part of its Digital Democracy Lab initiative under the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) Catalyst Grant, FactCheckAfrica has trained hundreds of citizens, youth civic actors, and journalists in Ibadan on the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its use in promoting transparency, accountability, and civic participation.
The one-day workshop, themed “Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals Workshop: Empowering Youth for Digital Literacy, Civic Action and Accountability”, was held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Local Government Staff Training School, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The training, the first in a six-state regional series, introduced participants to the intersection of technology, governance, and civic engagement. Supported by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, the event convened young journalists, academics, and civic leaders to explore how AI can be used to strengthen democratic participation and fight misinformation.
In his welcome address, Habeeb Adisa, Co-Editor of FactCheckAfrica, noted that “the future of civic accountability depends on how well citizens can understand, apply, and question the digital systems shaping their realities.” He urged participants to see AI not merely as a technological tool but as a civic instrument for responsible governance.
During the session on AI for Civic Engagement: Tools that Promote Transparency and Accountability, Temidayo Musa demonstrated how AI can empower citizens to engage meaningfully with government data, monitor institutional activities, and demand transparency in public service delivery. Participants were guided through interactive exercises that simulated real-life civic scenarios, such as tracking public projects, verifying policy claims, and analysing open data for evidence-based advocacy.
This session directly reflects the objectives of the Digital Democracy Lab, which seeks to leverage AI tools for citizen action by training citizens to take informed civic action in real time.” Through this focus, participants learnt to use AI not just for digital literacy but as a practical tool for citizen-led accountability, a key pillar of the Lab’s mission to strengthen democratic culture in Nigeria.
The workshop also featured practical demonstrations of MyAIFactChecker, an AI-powered verification tool developed by FactCheckAfrica to help users identify false or misleading claims. Lukman Adeoti showcased how the tool enables journalists and civic actors to quickly verify information and promote accuracy in public communication.
Other highlights included sessions by Titilope Fadare, who led participants in hands-on digital literacy exercises, and training on AI tools for journalists and civil society actors, showing how they can be applied in everyday reporting and advocacy.
Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin explored the transformative role of AI in the verification ecosystem and underscored the ethical responsibilities of digital communicators. In a thought-provoking session titled “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Fact-Checking and Combating Misinformation”, he urged participants to “continually learn and unlearn to remain relevant in the fast-changing digital landscape.”
The workshop sessions concluded with a practical group reflection led by Mutiu Iyanda, Chief Visionary Officer of Infoprations Limited, who called for the creation of an AI Youth Network to build community-driven responses to information pollution. “You need to think, verify, and act critically,” Iyanda told participants. “The era of mere information consumption is over. Use these tools to hold people and institutions accountable.”
Mustapha Lawal, representing FactCheckAfrica’s leadership team, noted that the workshop exemplifies the organisation’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with the digital and civic tools needed to safeguard democracy. “The Digital Democracy Lab is more than a training program; it’s an ecosystem for empowering youth to use technology for transparency, accountability, and social change,” he said.
Participants described the workshop as “educative, enlightening, and transformational”, pledging to apply the knowledge gained in their fields. “I’m into climate advocacy and will use these AI tools to verify government commitments and promote accountability,” one participant shared. “The knowledge gained will help me inform citizens about the harmful effects of misinformation,” another added.
The event concluded with certificate presentations, participant feedback, and group photographs, marking the successful completion of the first AI Fundamentals Workshop under the Digital Democracy Lab, a programme designed to build a generation of digitally literate, civically active, and AI-empowered youth leaders.
