VON apologises over false WAFCON report, unveils fact-checking unit

By Kunle Sanni –

The Voice of Nigeria (VON) has issued a public apology following the publication of a false report on its website about the outcome of the WAFCON 2025 final between Nigeria and Morocco.

In a statement by VON’s Director General, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, the organisation expressed deep regret over the error, which had incorrectly reported that the Super Falcons lost the match. In reality, Nigeria defeated Morocco 3–2 to claim a record tenth Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.

“We sincerely apologize for the misinformation and the confusion it caused,” the statement read. “The integrity of our journalism is paramount, and we take this incident seriously.”

Preliminary internal reviews suggested the error may have resulted from an internal lapse. However, VON is also investigating a possible cyberattack or identity breach, raising the possibility that the report was the result of hacking.

In response, VON has launched a Fact-Checking Unit, an Investigative Desk, and a Monitoring and Evaluation Team as part of broader editorial reforms to strengthen accountability and public trust.

The agency also announced staff redeployments aimed at boosting internal efficiency and transparency, while stressing that no single staff member, including the sports reporter initially linked to the report, is being solely blamed.

“These reforms reflect our broader commitment to repositioning VON as a more responsive, transparent, and globally respected media institution,” Ndace stated.

He also thanked the public for their feedback and reaffirmed VON’s commitment to responsible journalism and public service.