FG honours Miden Systems chairman Usoro at Abuja fake-news summit

The Federal Government has given a corporate governance and business integrity award to Dr Usoro, executive chairman of Miden Systems Limited.

Usoro received the Excellence in Corporate Governance and Business Integrity Award on Wednesday at the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) Summit on Curbing Fake News and Misinformation in the Media, held in Abuja. According to Leadership, the event took place at the NICON Luxury Hotel.

The honour was one of several handed out at the summit, which drew media professionals, policymakers, security agencies and business executives. Others recognised included Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, Defence Minister General Christopher Musa, Information and National Orientation Minister Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, Barrister Obioma Success Akagburuonye and Dr Yakubu Barde, Federal Commissioner for Salaries, Income and Wages.

Why it matters to ordinary Nigerians

Much of the talk at the summit centred on how false information can sway voters, damage businesses and stir tension between communities as the country heads towards the 2027 general elections.

Usoro said fake news is no longer just a campaign problem. In his words, people use false information to de-market political opponents and competitors' products, and to create tension in the polity.

He raised particular concern about artificial intelligence, saying it is now used to produce fabricated audio, altered videos and misleading reports, making it harder for people to tell what is true.

He said the fallout includes falling public trust, heightened ethnic and religious tension, and attempts to sway how citizens vote.

Usoro also said his own company had felt the effects. He alleged that Miden Systems and its executives were targeted with false information after a financial dispute with a commercial bank.

His advice to Nigerians: check sensational messages, pictures and videos before passing them on, and use independent fact-checkers such as Dubawa. He also called for better training for journalists and fact-checkers, and wider access to AI tools that can spot fakes quickly.

He asked technology firms and regulators, including the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to work more closely against the misuse of synthetic media. But he warned that the fight must not be used to silence the press, free speech or fair criticism.

NPC Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Dr Dili Ezughah said the summit was meant to strengthen responsible journalism and prepare media workers for the 2027 elections.

Defence Minister Musa, represented by his Special Adviser on Intelligence, Musa Likita, described false reports and manipulated recordings as threats to national security and public confidence in institutions.

Information Minister Idris, represented by Dr Haruna Suleiman, urged media houses to check sources, correct errors quickly and strengthen editorial oversight. He also called for more media literacy in schools and communities.

On his company, Usoro said Miden Systems was founded in 1997 and grew from safety and equipment maintenance into marine services, logistics and facility upgrades. He said it now handles oil and gas contracts and has served clients including ExxonMobil, Nigeria LNG Limited, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, Warri and Port Harcourt refineries, Addax Petroleum and Nigerian Agip Oil Company.

He said the award reflects how the company does business. "We remain committed to ethical, honest and transparent business transactions at all levels of our operations," he said.

What happens next

The summit ended with a call for government, media, technology companies and citizens to work together on credible information. No new enforcement measures were announced.