Alkalanci trains female Islamic scholars on tackling fake news in Kaduna

A fact-checking and media literacy organisation, Alkalanci, has trained female Islamic scholars and teachers in Kaduna State on combating misinformation and disinformation.

The two-day capacity-building workshop brought together women religious leaders and educators, with a focus on media and information literacy as a tool for building resilient communities.

Speaking at the event on Wednesday, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, warned that fake news poses a serious threat to peace and stability in Nigeria.

Salisu noted that false narratives had, in the past, triggered communal and ethno-religious crises in Kaduna and other parts of the country.

“Fake news and false narratives are dangerous to the peace and stability of our society,” she said, adding that unchecked misinformation could fuel tensions and violence.

She commended Alkalanci for targeting religious leaders, particularly female preachers and teachers, who she said wield significant influence over their followers.

The commissioner urged participants to remain attentive and open-minded during the training to enable them to effectively disseminate the knowledge gained to their communities.

In her welcome address, the Programme Manager of Alkalanci, Bamas Victoria, said the workshop was designed to equip participants with practical skills to identify and counter false information.

Victoria described the gathering as unique, noting that it was a workshop by women, for women, bringing together female scholars, teachers and community leaders.

She said the initiative formed part of the organisation’s broader efforts to tackle misinformation in the Hausa language space across Nigeria and the Sahel region.

According to her, similar engagements had been conducted in Kano, Sokoto, Gombe and Maradi in Niger Republic, with positive outcomes.

Victoria emphasised the critical role of women as first educators in society, stressing the need to strengthen their capacity in the digital age.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of Mata Media, Fauziyah Kabir Tukur, said the programme aimed to sensitise participants to the dangers of misinformation, disinformation and false narratives.

Tukur expressed optimism that participants would acquire basic skills to identify misleading online content and understand its broader implications.

She added that although the training was not specifically targeted at the 2027 general elections, it would help participants navigate misinformation during political processes and other sensitive issues.

The report states that the 2-day workshop is aimed at building resilient communities through fact-checking and media literacy of female Islamic scholars/teachers in Kaduna state.