By joshua 
Esanad Consult Trains NOA Officers on Combating Fake News, AI-Generated Content Using Esanad Framework
In a bid to strengthen digital literacy, ethical communication, and media integrity among public officers, Esanad Consult Ltd., in collaboration with the National Productivity Centre (NPC), Kwara State Office, on Monday organized a Train-the-Trainers workshop themed “Combat Fake News and AI-Generated Content with the Esanad Framework.”
The training, hosted by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Kwara State Directorate, was held at the Federal Secretariat Conference Hall, Fate Road, Ilorin, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The high-impact session adopted a blended format of lectures and practical case studies, equipping participants with practical strategies for detecting, verifying, and countering misinformation and AI-generated content in their professional and community engagements.
Delivering the lead paper and opening remarks, Babaijo Otepola, JP, a member of Esanad’s Board of Advisory and retired Deputy Director (Planning, Research, Strategy and Civic Intelligence Gathering) at NOA, explained how Esanad Consult is translating the principles of Isnad—verification, trust-building, and accountability—into modern solutions for contemporary information and governance challenges.
He charged participants to use the training as an opportunity to strengthen their fact-checking capacity and promote truth in an era of widespread digital falsehoods. Otepola also highlighted Esanad’s ongoing partnership with the NPC, urging participants to apply the knowledge gained to enhance institutional communication and productivity.
> “Today’s Train-the-Trainers workshop for NOA marks the beginning of endless windows of learning and expansion to other NOA offices, as well as federal and state MDAs, for a better and more secure Nigeria,” he said.
In another session, Mr. Ridwan Bolaji, Project Manager at Esanad Academy, provided an overview of the threat landscape of fake news and AI-generated content, helping participants differentiate between misinformation, disinformation, and synthetic media.
Delivering the core session, Mr. Ganiyu Yusuf Opeyemi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Esanad Consult Ltd., explained that the training was organized under Esanad Academy, the research and capacity-building arm of the organization.
He noted that NOA was strategically selected as a beneficiary because of its national mandate to promote truthful communication, civic awareness, and orientation—values that align with Esanad’s mission of fostering a culture of verified information and ethical digital engagement.
Opeyemi introduced participants to the Esanad Framework, a structured verification model inspired by the Isnad principle—the chain of transmission used in Hadith authentication—and demonstrated its application in tracing, assessing, and validating information sources in today’s digital ecosystem.
In a complementary session, Barrister Nurudeen Yusuf Olanrewaju, Court Registrar at the Court of Appeal and consultant to Esanad Consult, provided legal insights on the implications of spreading false information under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended).
He highlighted relevant sections of the law prescribing penalties for individuals or organizations that intentionally create or circulate false information, noting that offenders risk fines, imprisonment, or both. He therefore urged participants to uphold truthfulness and accountability in their digital communications, using the Esanad Framework as a preventive tool for compliance with national laws and ethical standards.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the National Productivity Centre (NPC), Kwara State Office, encouraged participants to embrace productivity and integrity in their communication practices, describing fake news and information disorder as major impediments to national productivity and efficiency. He commended Esanad Consult for the initiative, describing the Esanad Framework as a valuable tool for improving accuracy and productivity across government agencies.
Participants actively engaged in group discussions, case-based exercises, and Q&A sessions, expressing appreciation for the innovative and faith-conscious approach of the Esanad Framework in addressing modern information challenges.
Speaking on the relevance of the training, the Director of NOA, Kwara State Directorate, Alhaji Dare Olurotimi Abdulganiyu, said the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has heightened global concerns about information authenticity. He commended Esanad Consult for the initiative, noting that the workshop would help NOA officers enhance their critical thinking and fact-checking skills.
> “As information managers, there is no way you will not need this training. I urge you to digest the knowledge gained here and translate it into action,” Abdulganiyu advised.
In an interview, Mr. Yaqob Ibrahim Abubakar, Head of Department, Planning, Research, and Strategy (NOA, Kwara State), described the training as “wonderful and impactful,” noting that it would better equip NOA staff to tackle fake news, rumours, and misinformation, especially as the nation approaches the electioneering period.
Similarly, Mrs. Omole Oluwakemi, Head of Human Resources Management (NOA, Kwara State Directorate), said the training would enhance the reportage of government activities and policies without distortion, while Mr. Taofeeq Waheed, Community Mobilization Officer (COMO), Ilorin East Local Government, said he gained valuable insights on verifying information before dissemination.
Speaking after the event, Mr. Opeyemi reaffirmed Esanad Consult’s commitment to equipping organizations, government agencies, and civil society groups with the tools needed to ethically and safely navigate the era of misinformation and artificial intelligence.
> “Our goal is to empower Nigerians with the critical thinking and verification skills required to separate truth from falsehood—using methods rooted in both technology and timeless principles of authenticity,” he said.
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About Esanad Consult Ltd.
Esanad Consult Ltd. is an Ilorin-based research, training, and consulting firm that develops fact-checking and verification systems inspired by Islamic epistemology—particularly the Isnad principle. Through its training arm, Esanad Academy, the company partners with government agencies, educational institutions, and media organizations to promote ethical communication, cyber literacy, and productivity using the Esanad Framework.