On the morning of 10th September 2025, the gates of the Embassy of Ireland in Abuja opened to welcome us. The air carried both anticipation and curiosity as journalists and civil society leaders from across Nigeria gathered for the two-day resilience-building training on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI). The program was organized by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Nigeria and ECOWAS.
Walking into the venue, I immediately sensed the weight of the occasion. This was no ordinary training; it was a gathering of minds determined to confront one of the greatest challenges of our time: the manipulation of truth.
Learning from the best
The sessions were led by renowned experts. Viktoras Dauksas, from Lithuania, Head of Debunk.org (Disinformation Analysis Center), and Mr. Daniel, from Colombia, Senior Analyst on FIMI, took us deep into the heart of the subject. They didn’t just speak; they engaged, challenged, and drilled us on the nitty-gritty of detecting and countering FIMI.
Their teaching was practical. I still recall vividly how they cited the example of Russian flags appearing during hunger protests in Nigeria, a calculated act of interference, exploiting real frustrations to create divisions and confusion. It was a sobering reminder that foreign manipulation is not distant; it is already here, shaping narratives in our own country.
Other examples, drawn from both Africa and beyond, brought the concept of FIMI to life. Suddenly, what once seemed abstract became concrete, urgent, and personal.
Lessons that transformed me
Each module is built on the next:
Detection and Analysis gave us the tools to spot bots, trolls, and orchestrated disinformation campaigns.
Resilience building went beyond institutions, reminding us that personal discipline is key, not spreading unverified information, and not succumbing to panic.
Strategic communication showed us the art of countering falsehoods without amplifying them, emphasizing transparency and trust.
Collaboration and Policy reinforced the truth that no single actor, journalist, government, or tech platform can win this fight alone.
For me, the training was not just about information; it was about transformation.
The EU’s unwavering commitment
At every stage, what shone through was the uncommon commitment of the European Union. The EU did not just bring us together to talk; they empowered us to return as ambassadors of truth, equipped to defend Nigeria and Africa from the corrosive effects of disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation.
This commitment was visible in the caliber of facilitators, the resources invested, and the way the EU framed our role not just as participants but as partners in a global fight to safeguard democracy, peace, and socioeconomic development.
The panel that inspired
The climax of the training was the panel discussion titled: “Partnerships to Strengthen Our Societies Against FIMI.” The session began with welcome remarks from Ambassador Jens Ole Bach Hansen, Ambassador of Denmark to Nigeria, and Ambassador Gautier Mignot, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, who both underscored the need for partnerships built on trust and resilience.
The panellists brought diverse but complementary perspectives:
Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications to Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
Alhassan Bala, Founder of Alkalanci, the pioneering Hausa fact-checking platform.
Stephanie O. Adams-Douglas, representing the Centre for Information Resilience (CIR).
Francesco Carboni, Team Leader of the Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) Regional Team for West Africa & Lake Chad at the European Commission.
Listening to them, I felt both challenged and inspired. Their insights made it clear that disinformation is not an isolated threat; it cuts across governance, media, and civil society, demanding united action.
Bonds that will last
Beyond the lectures and panel discussions, one of the most rewarding aspects of the training was the networking. I met experienced journalists from different states, passionate civil society leaders, and professionals from various sectors. We didn’t just share ideas; we exchanged phone numbers and pledged to stay connected, collaborate, and support one another in applying the lessons we had learned.
That sense of solidarity filled me with hope. In those conversations in the laughter during breaks, the debates over examples, the pledges of partnership I saw a Nigeria that is resilient, capable, and determined to rise above manipulation.
Walking away changed:
When the training came to an end on the 11th of September, I did not walk away with just a certificate or notes. I walked away with new eyes, new tools, and a new mission.
I left Abuja with the conviction that as journalists, our role is not only to report but also to protect truth, strengthen public trust, and safeguard the integrity of our society. Thanks to the EU’s vision and the commitment of facilitators like Dauksas and Daniel, I now see myself as an ambassador in the fight against FIMI, misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.
And as I journeyed back home, I carried more than knowledge. I carried a heart full of renewed love for my country, Nigeria — a love that fuels the determination to defend her from those who would seek to destabilize her with lies.
Binji is the NUJ Chairman of the Sokoto State council
