At WABMA’s landmark celebration of its 100th Debunker series, Dr. Tope Ojeme delivered a stirring keynote that pushed past the applause to challenge the future of African media.
The West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA) reached a historic milestone on Thursday as it celebrated the 100th edition of its renowned Debunker program. The event, which took place at WABMA’s Abuja campus in CITEC Mbora Estate, gathered media professionals, students, academics, and civic leaders from across the continent to commemorate the Academy’s ongoing fight against misinformation.
But while the occasion recognized progress, the moment was defined by one voice—Dr. Tope Ojeme, a respected media leader and truth advocate. His keynote address, titled “Beyond Debunking: Building a Culture of Media Integrity in Africa’s Next Century,” was more than ceremonial. It was catalytic.
“This is not merely a milestone; it is a movement,” Dr. Ojeme began. “A living testament to what is possible when truth is not only spoken, but institutionalized.”
A Century of Debunking—But What Comes Next?
With over 100 editions, The Debunker has earned its place as one of Africa’s most consistent and innovative counter-misinformation initiatives. Through digital media education, real-time fact-checking, and community engagement, WABMA’s graduates have become frontline defenders of truth.
But for Dr. Ojeme, the real question wasn’t what the Academy had accomplished—it was what it must now become.
“After 100 editions of correcting, clarifying, and confronting lies, we must ask: What now? What next?”
This question set the tone for a thought-provoking address, which Dr. Ojeme structured around three key pillars: education, infrastructure, and innovation.
1. Institutionalizing Truth in African Classrooms
Dr. Ojeme’s first call to action was for a continental rethinking of education—beginning with the urgent integration of media literacy into school curricula.
“Media literacy must no longer be a niche topic for communication majors. It must be foundational, cross-disciplinary, and embedded from early childhood education to postgraduate levels.”
He shared a sobering example from a recent media literacy exercise in Jos, Plateau State, where secondary school students were shown two videos—one authentic, one a deep fake. More than 60% believed the fake video was real. The takeaway was clear: our children are vulnerable not because they are unintelligent, but because they are unequipped.
Dr. Ojeme proposed a bold vision—a National Media Literacy Curriculum, built on African realities and inspired by The Debunker Method. “We must equip every student not just with facts, but with filters,” he urged.
2. Building Ecosystems of Media Integrity
The second pillar of Ojeme’s keynote tackled the systemic challenges of sustaining truth in public discourse.
“The fight for truth cannot be won by heroic individuals alone. We need infrastructure, ecosystems, and institutions built around truth.”
He envisioned a future where every newsroom has a dedicated Truth Desk staffed by trained media verifiers; where fact-checking centers are funded in every geopolitical zone; and where whistleblowers and investigative journalists are protected by law rather than punished by politics.
Drawing attention to a community radio station in Zamfara State that saved an entire village from vaccine misinformation by airing verified health information in Hausa, he declared, “That’s not just journalism. That’s democracy in action.”
3. Harnessing Technology to Defend Truth
Dr. Ojeme acknowledged the dangers that AI, social media algorithms, and synthetic media pose—but urged attendees not to fear technology, but to reclaim it.
“Yes, algorithms can be hijacked. But they can also be designed to prioritize verified sources. Yes, AI can create fakes. But it can also flag manipulation faster than any human.”
He called on African developers, journalists, and innovators to create tools that place integrity at the center of media technology. From AI-powered fact-checking bots to blockchain-secured journalism archives, Dr. Ojeme painted a picture of an African tech landscape where innovation doesn’t compromise truth—but champions it.
“Innovation must serve integrity—not the other way around,” he insisted.
WABMA as Africa’s Media Lighthouse
Throughout his address, Dr. Ojeme praised the leadership of WABMA, including Rector Dr. Ken Ike Okere and the Board of Directors led by Mr. Kevin Ejiofor, for positioning the Academy as more than an educational institution.
“WABMA is not just an academy. It is a beacon. A forge. A training ground for digital custodians of conscience.”
He challenged the Academy to expand its reach beyond Nigeria—to Accra, Kigali, Nairobi, and Dakar—envisioning WABMA as Africa’s answer to Columbia Journalism School, but with a broader, more principled, pan-African mandate.
“May its alumni rise not only as broadcasters, but as truth-tellers and nation-builders,” he said.
50 Graduates, One Common Mission
The ceremony also saw the graduation of 50 students from the Q2 cohort of the Debunker Series, who received certifications and commendations from the Academy’s leadership.
In his closing words, Dr. Ojeme turned directly to the graduates, reminding them that the road ahead was not just professional—it was moral.
“You are not the leaders of tomorrow. You are the vanguard of today.”
“The 100 editions of The Debunker were just the preface. The real book—the real battle—begins now.”
Final Thoughts
As misinformation continues to challenge institutions, distort public understanding, and threaten democratic processes, Dr. Tope Ojeme’s keynote couldn’t have been more urgent or timely. His vision is clear: Africa doesn’t just need journalists it needs architects of truth. And if WABMA continues to follow this path, the next 100 editions of The Debunker will be more than content; they’ll be catalysts for cultural change.