In a landmark effort to tackle the growing threat of misinformation, the BO Foundation for Inclusive Media (BOFIM) has officially inaugurated ‘The Verifiers,’ a dedicated community of fact-checkers and verification experts in Nigeria.
Launched on March 20 at White Plain Hall in Osogbo, Osun State, following three months of intensive virtual training, the initiative equips journalists, human rights defenders, and disability rights advocates with cutting-edge tools like Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and digital verification techniques to uphold truth and protect social cohesion.
The hands-on training exposed participants to verification tools enabling them to conduct deep verification, track digital footprints, and detect manipulated content to protect the public from the dangers of false information.
The Executive Director of BOFIM, Blessing Oladunjoye, said the project is an embodiment of a shared commitment to truth, accountability, and social inclusion.
She expressed her heartfelt appreciation to everyone who contributed to making this project a reality, from trainers who led the training sessions virtually to each participant who chose to be part of this journey.
“Your dedication reaffirms our belief that together, we can make a difference. We are most grateful to WITNESS for their support, without which we wouldn’t have imagined embarking on this journey,” she added.
As she officially launched The Verifiers, she described it as more than just a network, calling it a movement that will reshape the information landscape.
“The power to challenge falsehoods, restore trust, and protect the truth now rests in your hands,” she said.
She charged the cohorts to continuously identify and address false narratives, particularly those that undermine democracy, human rights, and social inclusion.
Oladunjoye noted that misinformation and disinformation have profound consequences, particularly in a society where marginalized voices, including persons with disabilities, are often misrepresented.
“Today, as we inaugurate the community of verification experts across Southwest Nigeria, we are taking a bold step toward strengthening the integrity of journalism, countering misinformation, upholding our community truth, and equipping a new generation of verification experts with the tools to combat false narratives,” she said.
The founder of ChatVE, Israel Olatubji urged participants to approach fact-checking with precision and diligence.
He demonstrated how to detect deep fakes and discussed the significance of ChatVE—an automated virtual assistant chatbot designed to bridge gaps between phone calls, emails, messaging, and bookings while enabling real-time fact-checking and client engagement.
Tijani also emphasized that ChatVE accelerates response times for validating or debunking critical events, leveraging a hybrid of AI and certified fact-checkers to verify claims at the speed of social media.
He explained that the solution assigns unique digital fingerprints to debunked claims, preventing them from resurfacing online.
A data protection expert, John Eromosele also provided practical insights into data protection and essential IT skills for fact-checkers.
He demonstrated how to use verification tools such as Yandex, TinEye, and reverse image search to confirm the authenticity of digital content.
Oladunjoye enjoined cohorts to remain committed to the values of accuracy, fairness, and inclusivity, actively engage, learn rigorously, and collaborate passionately because the fight against misinformation requires collective effort and unwavering dedication.