Phillip Anjorin

Abuja

Fact-checker @dubawaNG; 👨‍ @africanliberty, @AIJC_conference, Sherlock @DFRLab; FT: @ijnet| @niemanlab. God is with me, until the day I'm with God.

Articles

Sahara Reporters share Texas lady’s picture as victim of Sharia law in Zamfara

2 weeks ago | dubawa.org | Phillip Anjorin

Claim: Sahara Reporters, Nigeria’s foremost citizen journalism platform, claimed that the Sharia court in Zamfara state set to arraign a female Christian convert on May 23, 2025. Verdict: FALSE. The lady whose image was attached to the tweet is from Texas, and the state governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, also debunked the claim. In 2000, Zamfara state became the first northern Nigerian state with a significant muslim population to implement Sharia law.
Traore, VDM, other trending matters generating false claims this week

2 weeks ago | dubawa.org | Phillip Anjorin

Many high-profile individuals in Nigeria became the subject of misinformation within the week, from Ibrahim Traore, Burkina Faso’s military leader, to Martin Otse (Very Dark Man). DUBAWA compiled some of the most trending issues delved into during the week. Nigeria launched missiles at Burkina Faso A viral TikTok post claimed that Nigeria launched a missile strike on Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, targeting the country’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
Sakon WhatsApp da ya bazu cewa shugaban INEC ya ba da hakuri kan yadda aka sauya sakamakon zabe, na jan hankali ne kawai

3 weeks ago | dubawa.org | Phillip Anjorin

Da dama ‘yan Najeriya basu gamsu ba (unsatisfied) da sakamakon zaben 2023 wanda yayi sanadi na hawan shugaban Najeriya Bola Ahmed Tinubu kan karagar mulki, manyan abokan adawa Peter Obi na Labour Party (LP) da Atiku Abubakar na jam’iyyar People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a lokuta da dama sun soki zabin na Tinubu da shigarsa ofis (office) na fadar shugaban kasa.
Nigeria’s GDP per capita data: Unravelling the truth in Adesina, Onanuga contradicting claims

4 weeks ago | dubawa.org | Phillip Anjorin

A recent public disagreement between Bayo Onanuga, Nigeria’s presidential spokesperson, and Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has brought renewed attention to Nigeria’s economic history and the interpretation of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita figures. Mr Adesina asserted that Nigeria’s GDP per capita in 1960 was $1,847, which he suggested was higher than the current level.
Viral WhatsApp message claiming INEC chairperson apologised for election manipulation, clickbait

1 month ago | dubawa.org | Phillip Anjorin

Viral WhatsApp message claiming INEC chairperson apologised for election manipulation, clickbaitBy Phillip AnjorinMahmood Yakubu. Source: Daily TrustClaim: Express, a Facebook page, shared a link claiming that Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), apologised to Nigerians for allegedly manipulating the 2023 general election outcome. Verdict: FALSE.
Did Trump reveal America’s support for Biafra, Ambazonia?

1 month ago | dubawa.org | Phillip Anjorin

Claim: A Facebook page, News Analysis, shared a video claiming that America’s president, Donald Trump, has revealed the country’s support for the independence of Biafra and Ambazonia, the separatist groups in Nigeria and Cameroon, respectively. Verdict: FALSE. The recorded audio from Trump’s 2017 United Nations General Assembly speech was used to drive this narrative. Nowhere in the speech did Trump mention support for Biafra or Ambazonia.
Did Wike’s security invade Fubara’s private residence, as claimed?

2 months ago | dubawa.org | Phillip Anjorin

Claim: Agodi Comedy, a Facebook user, shared a video claiming that security agencies sent by Nyesom Wike invaded the private home of the embattled Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara. Verdict: FALSE. Analyses revealed that the video was footage of the scuffle between factions at the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) headquarters in January 2025 over access to the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting.
End of days? Unravelling the mystery behind viral ‘blood-red river’

2 months ago | dubawa.org | Phillip Anjorin

Argentines living near Buenos Aires woke up to a horrible stench from the Sarandi Stream on Feb. 7, 2025. Viral online videos also revealed that the stream had turned crimson red like blood. A 5-minute, 42-second video trending on WhatsApp showed different locations where their rivers had turned red. The locations include Iran, Jerusalem, Russia, Peru, India, Siberia, Lebanon, Canada, Israel, the United Kingdom, Jamaica, France, and China.
Viral video showing Port Harcourt refinery on fire, false

2 months ago | dubawa.org | Phillip Anjorin

Claim: Different Facebook users shared a video showing an inferno at the refinery in Port Harcourt. Verdict: FALSE. Eyewitnesses have debunked the claim, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) also released a statement clarifying the situation. Further analysis revealed that the viral video was from a 2022 incident. The political instability in Rivers State in recent weeks has increased insecurity and violence in the oil-rich state, leading to a hike in pipeline vandalism.
DUBAWA launch nationwide project to combat information disorder among young Nigerians

2 months ago | dubawa.org | Phillip Anjorin

Abuja, Nigeria — The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), through its fact-checking initiative DUBAWA, has launched a groundbreaking project to equip Nigerian secondary school students with the skills to combat information disorder. The initiative officially commenced on February 25, 2025, with the support of the Netherlands Embassy in Nigeria, marking a major step towards fostering a more media-literate generation.