IOM Partners with Pan‑atlantic University to Counter Migration Misinformation in Nigeria

In a decisive step to curb migration misinformation, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Pan‑Atlantic University (PAU) to launch a joint research and media‑education programme across Nigeria. The partnership, announced in November 2026, aims to replace sensationalist narratives with data‑driven reporting, empower journalists with fact‑checking tools, and promote ethical coverage of migration issues that affect millions of Africans.

Why tackling migration misinformation matters now

Migration remains a top concern for policymakers, families and civil society in Nigeria and the wider continent. Rumours about human‑trafficking routes, exaggerated death tolls on the Mediterranean, and false promises of quick wealth abroad often circulate on social media, fuelling panic and xenophobia. Such misinformation can distort public perception, influence policy debates, and even endanger lives when desperate migrants act on inaccurate advice.

Recent surveys by local NGOs indicate that over 60% of Nigerians have encountered at least one misleading migration story in the past year. The spread of these narratives is amplified by unverified WhatsApp forwards, viral TikTok clips and sensational headlines that prioritize clicks over accuracy. By confronting this challenge, IOM and PAU hope to restore trust in media outlets and provide citizens with reliable information.

The IOM‑PAU partnership: scope and objectives

The collaboration is anchored on three pillars: research, journalist training, and curriculum development. First, a joint research unit will map the most common migration myths circulating in Nigeria, drawing on data from IOM’s migration observatory, social‑media analytics and field interviews. The findings will be published in a series of briefings that media houses can reference when covering migration stories.

Second, a series of workshops and online courses will be rolled out for reporters, editors and student journalists. These sessions, led by IOM experts and PAU faculty, will cover fact‑checking methodologies, ethical storytelling, and the use of open‑source intelligence (OSINT) tools to verify claims about migration routes, visa processes and asylum outcomes.

Third, the partnership will embed migration literacy into PAU’s journalism curriculum, ensuring that the next generation of African reporters graduates with a solid grounding in responsible migration coverage. The curriculum will include case studies from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, reflecting the diverse migration dynamics across the continent.

How the programme will be delivered on the ground

Implementation will begin with pilot workshops in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt—Nigeria’s three major media hubs. IOM will provide a mobile fact‑checking lab equipped with laptops, data‑analysis software and access to the organisation’s global migration database. Journalists will work through real‑world examples, such as debunking a viral claim that “all migrants from Nigeria are trafficked on the way to Europe”.

In parallel, PAU will host a series of webinars open to media professionals from Ghana, South Africa, Kenya and other partner countries. These virtual sessions will foster cross‑border knowledge sharing, allowing journalists to compare migration narratives in different contexts and identify common misinformation patterns.

To ensure sustainability, the partnership will establish a “Migration Fact‑Check Hub” within PAU’s Centre for Media Excellence. The hub will serve as a repository of verified data, fact‑checking guides and a hotline for journalists seeking rapid verification of migration‑related claims.

Practical tools for journalists

During the workshops, participants will be introduced to a toolbox that includes:

• OSINT platforms such as Maltego and GeoFeedia for tracing the origin of images and videos.
• Verification checklists that guide reporters through source triangulation, timestamp validation and geographic cross‑checking.
• Data visualisation templates for presenting migration statistics in a clear, audience‑friendly manner.

These tools are designed to be low‑cost and operable on standard laptops, recognising the resource constraints of many Nigerian newsrooms.

Illustrative example: debunking a TikTok claim

Example: A TikTok video posted in August 2026 claimed that “a new secret route through the Niger Delta guarantees safe passage to Europe for a fee of $500”. The video amassed 120,000 views within 48 hours.

Using the fact‑checking lab, journalists applied the following steps:

1. Extracted the video’s metadata to confirm the upload date and location tags.
2. Cross‑referenced the claimed route with IOM’s migration corridor database, which showed no official or documented pathway matching the description.
3. Contacted a regional NGO that monitors trafficking; the NGO reported that the “route” is a known scam that has resulted in multiple arrests.
4. Published a short article with the headline “TikTok myth busted: No secret Niger Delta corridor for European migration”, citing the data sources and providing safe‑migration alternatives.

The story was shared by three major Nigerian newspapers and led to a 30% drop in shares of the original video within a week.

Potential impact on African media ecosystems

By institutionalising fact‑checking and research, the IOM‑PAU initiative could reshape how migration is reported across the continent. Media outlets that adopt the new standards may see increased credibility among audiences, which in turn can boost readership and advertising revenue—an important consideration for struggling newsrooms.

Moreover, accurate reporting can influence policy. When legislators receive reliable data rather than sensationalist anecdotes, they are better positioned to craft migration policies that protect migrants’ rights while addressing security concerns. This aligns with the African Union’s 2026‑2027 Migration Outlook, which calls for evidence‑based decision‑making.

Finally, the programme empowers civil society organisations that rely on media coverage to raise awareness about safe migration pathways. NGOs can cite the fact‑checked reports in advocacy campaigns, reducing the space for unscrupulous agents who thrive on misinformation.

Challenges and the way forward

Despite its promise, the partnership faces hurdles. Limited internet connectivity in rural areas can impede the reach of online training modules. To mitigate this, IOM plans to distribute printed fact‑checking manuals and conduct in‑person sessions in underserved regions.

Another challenge is the entrenched business model of sensationalist media, which often rewards click‑bait headlines. The programme addresses this by offering media houses incentives—such as certification badges for “verified migration reporting”—that can be displayed on articles to attract discerning readers.

Looking ahead, IOM and PAU intend to expand the model to other African nations, leveraging the hub’s resources to support journalists in Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. The ultimate goal is a continent‑wide network of media professionals equipped to counter migration misinformation, fostering a more informed public discourse.

Additional FAQs

• Will the training be free? Yes. All workshops, webinars and online modules are offered at no cost to participants, with sponsorship from IOM and PAU.
• How long does a typical workshop run? Pilot workshops are three days long, combining theory, hands‑on practice and a final group fact‑checking exercise.
• Can journalists from other African countries join? The initial phase focuses on Nigeria, but the virtual webinars are open to reporters from any AU member state.
• What languages are supported? Training materials are provided in English and major Nigerian languages such as Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo to broaden accessibility.
• How will success be measured? IOM and PAU will track metrics such as the number of fact‑checked articles published, audience reach, and a pre‑ and post‑training survey on participants’ confidence in verifying migration claims.

For more details, see the original announcement on Vanguard Nigeria.

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