Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
With the Osun State governorship election just hours away, the International Press Centre has unveiled a weapon that is as modern as it is urgent: a WhatsApp‑enabled artificial intelligence system designed to monitor, document and respond to attacks on journalists in real time. The system, named WAFLO, was announced on Friday, August 14, 2026, by IPC Executive Director Lanre Arogundade at a press conference in Osogbo, and it will be deployed as a pilot scheme during Saturday's poll before being expanded for full use in the 2027 general elections. The initiative is part of Component 4: Support to Media of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase Two (EU‑SDGN II) Programme, implemented by the IPC and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other key stakeholders.
The technology behind WAFLO is deceptively simple but potentially transformative. Journalists can access the reporting channel through the SafeMedia WhatsApp prompt or by sending the word "safemedia" via WhatsApp or text message to 0805 877 8053. Once a report is submitted, the system uses artificial intelligence to facilitate real‑time verification, documentation and monitoring of incidents such as assault, threats, harassment and other infringements on press freedom. "The fundamental goal of WAFLO is to ensure that incidents affecting journalists do not go unnoticed or unreported," Arogundade said. The platform is designed to provide stakeholders with actionable information, enabling prompt responses to threats and attacks, and to create a reliable record that can be used for advocacy and accountability long after the election is over.
The deployment of WAFLO comes at a critical moment for media freedom in Nigeria, where journalists covering elections have frequently faced violence, intimidation and obstruction. In previous elections, reporters have been assaulted, arbitrarily arrested, and had their equipment confiscated, often with little or no recourse. The IPC has long documented these abuses through its Safety of Journalists Alert Desk, and WAFLO represents a significant technological leap forward in the organisation's efforts to protect media professionals. By integrating AI with the ubiquity of WhatsApp, the platform lowers the barrier for reporting incidents, making it possible for journalists to send alerts from the field without needing specialised equipment or extensive technical knowledge.
Arogundade also used the press conference to issue a broad call to action. He urged security agencies, political actors and election stakeholders to respect the rights of journalists to perform their constitutional and professional responsibilities without intimidation, harassment or undue interference. He advised journalists covering the election to remain properly accredited, carry their identification cards, press tags and other relevant credentials at all times, in order to minimise unnecessary questioning, identity checks and possible obstruction by security personnel. The IPC also acknowledged the leadership of the Osun NUJ for its support of the technology‑driven approach.
The Osun governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, August 15, has drawn intense national attention, with security agencies already deploying thousands of personnel to prevent violence and ensure a credible process. The election has been marked by tensions, including allegations of political violence, arrests and threats against opposition supporters. In this charged atmosphere, the safety of journalists becomes not just a professional concern but a democratic imperative. WAFLO is a recognition that press freedom cannot be defended after the fact; it must be protected in the moment, and the tools for that protection must be as agile and accessible as the threats themselves.
The pilot scheme in Osun will provide valuable lessons for the full deployment of WAFLO during the 2027 general elections, a period that is expected to be even more politically volatile. The IPC has made it clear that the system will be upgraded and expanded based on feedback from journalists and stakeholders, ensuring that it evolves to meet the changing nature of threats to press freedom. For now, the journalists who will fan out across Osun State on Saturday have a new tool in their arsenal – one that could make the difference between a story that is told and a story that is silenced.
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