A Nigerian technology expert, Gunu Usman, has unveiled a new Artificial Intelligence application known as BAT-BOT AI, designed to support the Federal Government in tackling the growing spread of fake news and misinformation online.
Usman introduced the platform during its launch in Abuja, explaining that the goal of the tool is to ensure that verified information travels faster than false narratives in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital space.
Fighting Misinformation in the Digital Age
According to Usman, the application is also intended to counter misinformation that could emerge around the political landscape, particularly discussions surrounding the possible re-election bid of Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Usman, founder of LYT24 Technologies, said the spread of misinformation, disinformation, deepfakes, hate speech, and manipulated narratives targeting the administration, the All Progressives Congress and other national institutions poses serious risks to democratic stability and public trust.
To address these concerns, his team developed BAT-BOT AI as a civic technology platform focused on fact-checking and public information access.
A New Kind of Political Infrastructure
Usman described BAT-BOT AI as a sovereign AI-powered civic information and fact-verification platform built to strengthen Nigeria’s digital information ecosystem.
He noted that political communication is increasingly shifting from traditional campaign tools to digital platforms.
“In an era where elections are increasingly won or lost in the digital arena, Nigeria is witnessing the emergence of a new kind of political infrastructure powered by artificial intelligence,” he said.
With more than 100 million Nigerians using smartphones, Usman explained that the digital space has become the primary battleground for narratives capable of shaping public perception and political outcomes.
How the BAT-BOT AI Platform Works
The platform is currently accessible through several digital channels, allowing citizens to easily interact with the AI system. These include:
- WhatsApp AI Chat Interface: 07055555329
- X (Twitter): @Bat_botAi
- Telegram AI Bot: @BolaAhmedTinubuBatBot
- Web Chat Interface: BatBot.ng
Through these platforms, users can verify claims circulating online and ask questions related to government policies and national development initiatives.
The AI system can analyze and verify multiple types of content, including:
- Text messages
- Images
- Videos
- Voice notes
Users can also receive real-time responses to civic and governance-related questions in simplified formats.
Bridging Language and Literacy Gaps
To ensure wider accessibility, the platform explains government policies, governance issues, and democratic processes in multiple Nigerian languages. These include English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Nigerian Pidgin.
Addressing Nigeria’s “Digital Siege”
The BAT-BOT AI development team said Nigeria currently faces what they describe as a “coordinated digital siege,” driven by widespread fake news capable of undermining confidence in electoral processes, economic reforms, and national security efforts.
According to Usman, BAT-BOT AI was specifically built to confront these challenges.
He emphasized that the platform operates as a 24-hour digital civic infrastructure designed to support verified information and responsible civic participation rather than serve as a tool for partisan attacks.
Ultimately, the platform aims to help Nigerians access accurate information, better understand governance, and engage more responsibly in the country’s democratic process in the digital age.