ID: 1523
Presenting Author: OLUYEMI ADENUGA
Session: 758 - Reframing Impact Assessment Narratives in Africa: Combating Misinformation, Power Asymmetries, and Distrust in Development
Status: pending
Explores how AI can detect and counter climate disinformation in Nigeria’s impact assessments, improving trust, transparency, and communication in environmental decision-making.
Misinformation and disinformation continue to undermine the effectiveness of Impact Assessment (IA) in Nigeria, especially in climate-related projects. False narratives, selective reporting, and distrust in public institutions often distort community perceptions, weaken participation, and delay project implementation. This presentation explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be applied to identify, track, and counter climate disinformation within Nigeria’s IA processes.
Drawing on examples from digital communication platforms, the paper examines how misleading content and emotive framing influence environmental decision-making and public trust. It highlights how AI-based tools—such as automated content analysis, fact-checking algorithms, and social media monitoring—can support early detection of disinformation trends and strengthen IA communication strategies.
The discussion situates Nigeria’s experience within the wider African context, emphasizing opportunities and ethical concerns in adopting AI-driven solutions. It argues that while technology alone cannot rebuild institutional trust, it can support evidence-based counter-narratives and transparency in environmental communication. By integrating digital innovation with participatory approaches, AI can help reframe IA narratives, reduce misinformation impacts, and enhance accountability in climate governance.
Oluyemi Adenuga is a Scientific Officer and Deputy Director in the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, specializing in pollution monitoring, climate communication, and impact assessment.