By Fidelis Mbah, Journalist & Deputy President of International Press Institute-Nigeria
Recently, I had the privilege of moderating a Media and Civil Society Roundtable in Abuja that focused on a timely topic: Building Stronger Media-CSO Partnerships for Credible, Peaceful and Inclusive Elections in Nigeria. The roundtable was convened by Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) in collaboration with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nigeria.
As conversations unfolded, participants reflected not only on the discussions in the room but also on the country’s 2023 elections and the lessons they offer as Nigeria prepares for its 2027 polls. The last elections brought to the fore the strengths and weaknesses of Nigeria’s democratic journey. On one hand, there was unprecedented citizen engagement. Nigerians, particularly young people, became actively involved in political conversations. Digital platforms expanded civic participation, voter education efforts increased and many citizens demonstrated a renewed belief that their voices could shape the country’s future. Yet, challenges persisted.
One issue highlighted during the roundtable was the challenge of verifying information in an environment saturated with misinformation and disinformation. At the 2023 elections, confirming stories was difficult as access to reliable sources and key contacts was limited. At the same time, social media was flooded with misleading content shared by supporters. Fake videos from other countries were repurposed and presented as events occurring in Nigeria, spreading rapidly and shaping public perception before being fact-checked. The experience reinforced the importance of verification and responsible journalism, particularly during elections when accuracy is critical to maintaining public trust.
Questions on transparency, logistical shortcomings, delayed processes, misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, voter suppression and declining public trust in institutions dominated post-election discussions. While technology was expected to strengthen confidence in the process, gaps between expectations and realities left many citizens disappointed and skeptical.
In my personal view, one of the biggest lessons from 2023 is that credible elections are not secured on election day alone. They are built through consistent public engagement, access to accurate information, strong institutions and collective accountability long before voters arrive at polling units. This is where the media and civil society organisations have a unique and complementary role to play.
Throughout my career as a journalist, I have seen firsthand how powerful information can be. Accurate reporting can expose wrongdoing, hold leaders accountable and empower citizens to make informed choices. At the same time, civil society organisations often have deep community networks, grassroots credibility and the capacity to mobilise citizens around issues that matter. Despite pursuing similar goals, media organisations and CSOs do not work together as they should.
Repeatedly, collaboration only happens during election periods or in response to crises. Journalists sometimes view CSO groups only as sources, while these groups occasionally see the media mainly as channels for publicity. As a result, opportunities for strategic cooperation are often missed.
“Journalists sometimes view civil society organizations only as sources, while CSOs occasionally see the media mainly as channels for publicity. As a result, opportunities for strategic cooperation are often missed.”
The discussions during the roundtable reinforced the need for stronger and more intentional partnerships. Imagine the impact of journalists and civil society groups jointly tackling misinformation, coordinating voter education campaigns, monitoring electoral processes, amplifying citizen voices, and promoting peaceful participation. Together, they can create a more informed electorate and a transparent democratic process.
The digital information environment makes such collaboration even more necessary. Fake news now travels faster. Polarising narratives spread within minutes. Public trust can be eroded long before facts emerge. Neither the media nor civil society can effectively address these challenges alone. Building stronger partnerships is no longer optional; it is essential.
As I listened to participants from media organisations and civil society groups, I was encouraged by the shared commitment to protecting democratic values. There was broad agreement that collaboration must move beyond occasional meetings and evolve into sustained engagement built on trust, shared objectives and mutual respect.
The participants released a communiqué that outlines their collaboration plan. This plan includes establishing a joint fact-checking platform to enable real-time collaboration in verifying information, particularly regarding elections. They also agreed to work closely together to protect civic spaces by collectively engaging with security agencies on issues of journalists’ safety and security. They commit to jointly condemn attacks on journalists and human rights defenders. Furthermore, they will engage with electoral management bodies to ensure that media representation is incorporated into their planning processes, rather than treated as an afterthought.
If this communique is implemented, it could be a catalyst that fosters intentional collaboration between media and CSOs, ultimately strengthening Nigeria’s democracy. I am committed to continuing to work with JHR and collaborating with other stakeholders within the information and civic ecosystems to advance this initiative.
For me, the conversation was a reminder of how my own professional journey has evolved. Over two decades, I have worked as a journalist covering elections, conflicts, governance, humanitarian crises, human rights, and development issues across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Throughout that journey, I have remained committed to promoting transparency, accountability, fairness, and public interest journalism.
Today, while those values remain unchanged, my role is gradually expanding. Now, I find myself bringing together journalists, civil society actors, policymakers, development organisations and communities around the same ideals that I once championed primarily through reporting. In many ways, I am moving from simply telling stories to helping create the spaces where meaningful conversations, collaboration and solutions emerge. That evolution feels both natural and necessary. Nigeria’s democracy needs strong institutions, informed citizens, responsible journalism and active civic participation. It also needs bridges between those working toward the same goals. If the media and civil society can deepen their collaboration, strengthen public accountability and work together to counter misinformation and promote inclusion, they can play a vital role in safeguarding our democracy.
As someone who believes deeply in the power of information and public engagement, I remain committed to contributing to that effort, whether as a journalist, facilitator, communicator or bridge builder.
Ultimately, the work has never been about headlines. It is about building a better Nigeria.