By Hafsah Muhammed Ibrahim
A Hausa-focused fact-checking and media literacy organisation, Alkalanci, has trained 21 Islamic clerics in Gombe State on fact-checking and information literacy as part of efforts to curb the spread of misinformation.
The two-day workshop, held recently in Gombe, was themed “Combatting False Narratives and Promoting Media & Information Literacy: Building Resilient Communities through Fact-Checking and Media & Information Literacy.”
Speaking with WikkiTimes, Alhassan Bala, co-founder and editor of Alkalanci, said the training was designed to address the growing spread of false information across digital platforms and its consequences on public discourse.
Mr Bala said the initiative specifically targets Islamic clerics in Northern Nigeria due to their influence and reach, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
“This training aims to educate Islamic clerics on the need to verify information before sharing it in sermons and public engagements. In many instances, unverified information is passed on to large audiences, which can mislead the public,” he said.
He added that the timing of the training is significant, given the increasing flow of political and social information ahead of future electoral cycles.
According to him, the programme—previously held in Kano, Sokoto, and parts of Niger Republic, including Maradi—will be extended to other states in Northern Nigeria.
Mr Bala noted that early outcomes from the initiative are encouraging, with trained clerics already promoting fact-checking and responsible information sharing within their communities.
“We are already seeing impact, particularly in Kano and Sokoto, where participants are now advocating against misinformation. Many have begun verifying information before sharing and are incorporating these lessons into their sermons,” he said.
He added that post-training engagement mechanisms, including dedicated online platforms, have been created to support participants in verifying doubtful information before dissemination.
The initiative reflects growing efforts by civil society organisations to strengthen media literacy and counter misinformation at the grassroots, where trust in community and religious leaders remains high.
