The Voice of Nigeria (VON), the official digital platform of the Nigerian media agency, has issued a public apology for false publication that Morocco defeated Nigeria in the final of Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Gatekeepers News reports that contrary to VON’s earlier publication, the Super Falcons won a historic 10th WAFCON title with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Morocco.
However, before the match concluded, VON erroneously reported a 2-0 win in favor of Morocco, sparking backlash from the public over the misinformation.
Responding to the criticism in a statement on Sunday, VON’s Director-General, Jibrin Baba Ndace, expressed regret and apologised to Nigerians for the misleading report.
He revealed that initial reviews indicated a possible internal oversight and even suggested the possibility of a “security breach or identity theft through hacking.”
Ndace emphasised that the organization has begun overhauling its editorial systems, establishing key structures such as an Investigative Desk and a Fact-Checking Unit to strengthen accuracy and editorial integrity.
The statement reads, “As a public institution, we cannot rule out such cyber threats and are taking appropriate steps to enhance the security of our digital platforms.”
“It is important to clarify that while internal editorial processes are being reviewed and strengthened, we are not placing sole responsibility on any individual staff member, including the sports reporter initially associated with the story.”
“Rather, this episode underscores the need for comprehensive institutional safeguards to prevent such occurrences in the future.”
“As part of our ongoing internal reforms, we have introduced key editorial structures, including an Investigative Desk, a Fact-Checking Unit, and a Monitoring and Evaluation Team.”
“We have also undertaken strategic staff redeployments to enhance accountability, build resilience, and boost editorial efficiency across our platforms.”
“These reforms reflect our broader commitment to repositioning VON as a more responsive, transparent, and globally respected media institution.”
“At Voice of Nigeria, we embrace the responsibility that comes with being Nigeria’s official international broadcaster. We remain steadfast in our dedication to our three pillars: People, Platform, and Partnership.”
