September 13
Nigeria: No, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu Hasn't Set Date for Country's Much-Awaited Census
IN SHORT: Nigeria is due for a census, the last one being in 2006. But claims that the president has ordered the National Population Commission to conduct one in November 2023 are… Read more »
Niger: Russia's Wagner Mercenaries Landing in Niger? No, 'Breaking News' Video Shot in 2006
IN SHORT: Niger's coup leaders did reportedly ask Russia's Wagner mercenaries help them hold on to power. But a video circulating online with the claim it shows a planeload of… Read more »
Nigeria: No, Chicago State University Hasn't Deleted Its 1979 Yearbook to Protect Nigerian President Bola Tinubu
IN SHORT: Bola Tinubu's academic qualifications have been questioned in a US court. But a claim that a video proves Chicago State University has deleted a record of the Nigerian… Read more »
Nigeria: No, President Bola Tinubu Didn't Inherit Nigeria's Highest Inflation Rate in 20 Years
As Tinubu marked 100 days in office, local and international media took stock of his administration's achievements. But a German publication's claim that Tinubu inherited the… Read more »
September 08
Nigeria: Nigerians Beware, 'Naija Get Help Investment' Won't Double Your Money in 45 Minutes
IN SHORT: Posts on Facebook are encouraging users to invest with Naija Get Help Investment. But the investment platform is not a registered business in Nigeria, so don't be… Read more »
Nigeria: Opposition Leader Peter Obi Didn't Meet Nigerian President Bola Tinubu At His Residence. Ignore Manipulated Photo
IN SHORT: Facebook accounts are sharing images with the claim they show Peter Obi and Nigerian president Bola Tinubu meeting at his residence at Aso Rock in the capital Abuja. But… Read more »
Nigeria: No, Nigerian Government Is Not Giving Out N5 Billion Cash Payouts, As Claimed On Facebook
IN SHORT: Some Facebook accounts are claiming that the federal government of Nigeria is sharing a N5 billion palliative with residents of Lagos and other states. While that is… Read more »
Nigeria: Old Photos of Nigerians Arrested for Drug Trafficking in Cambodia Making the Rounds Again As Breaking News
IN SHORT: A previously debunked claim with old photos resurfaced in August 2023 as breaking news. The photos are at least four years old and the claim that death sentences have… Read more »
South Africa: No, You Do Not Need to Take 'Three Half Minute Pauses' to Avoid 'Sudden Unexpected Death' When Waking Up During the Night
IN SHORT: Social media posts warn users to avoid "unexpected death at night" by adhering to a "three half minute pauses" rule, but this strange advice is simply not true. Read more »
September 07
Nigeria: No, Bola Tinubu Has Not Suspended Courts in Nigeria Over Fear of Disqualification As President
IN SHORT: Facebook posts claim that Nigerian president Bola Tinubu has suspended all courts in the country over fear of disqualification. But there are no news reports of this in… Read more »
Africa: Do Not Throw Flour On a Fire. Flour Is a Fuel Which Can Itself Catch Alight
IN SHORT: While some substances dropped on a fire can smother the flames, flour should not be used for this purpose. Flour can fuel a fire. Read more »
Africa: No, Lemon Peel Is Not 10,000 Times Stronger Than Chemo and Can't Kill Cancer Cells, Among Other Things
IN SHORT: Facebook posts claim that lemon peel has a range of benefits, from curing cancer to regulating blood pressure. But there is no evidence to support these claims. Read more »
September 06
South Africa: Kenya Vs South Africa? Fact-Checking Claims About the Two Countries' Contrasting Economic Paths
South African publication the Daily Maverick recently published a glowing opinion piece on Kenya's growth trajectory, often contrasting it with South Africa's. The author made… Read more »
Kenya: No, Photo Doesn't Show Opposition Leader Raila Odinga Representing Kenya in the UK As Peace Talks Continue
IN SHORT: Raila Odinga was in the UK for a week in August 2023 for business and personal reasons. However, a photograph purporting to show him in a bilateral meeting was taken in… Read more »
September 04
Kenya: Beware of Fake Nairobi Governor Account Trying to Scam Kenyans By Pretending to Offer Loans
IN SHORT: A Facebook account impersonating Johnson Sakaja regularly posts loan offers. But it's a scam that tries to trick unsuspecting applicants into first paying a "security… Read more »
Kenya: No, Lang'ata MP Jalang'o Did Not Invite Facebook Users to Apply for a Job At His Home, Ignore Ad On Page With Huge Following
IN SHORT: A Facebook page inviting users to apply for a househelp job at Lang'ata MP's home is fake. Read more »
August 25
South Africa: #NationalConvention2024 - Fact-Checking Opposition Claims About Crime, Jobs and Voting in South Africa
As formations to unseat the ruling party ahead of the 2024 general elections begin to take shape, claims are being made about what the opposition says is the poor state of the… Read more »
August 24
Nigeria: Nigeria's Drug Agency Denies Appointing Singer Naira Marley As Ambassador
IN SHORT: Singer and songwriter Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, only visited the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency's offices. The agency has denied claims that… Read more »
August 23
South Africa: Is Poverty On the Decline in South Africa? We Fact-Checked Cyril Ramaphosa's ANC Claims
A number of sceptical readers asked us to take a closer look at pronouncements made by the president at the ANC's review of its manifesto. As we found, nuance also matters. Read more »
Nigeria: No, Pic Purporting to Show a Meeting Between Peter Obi and Seyi Tinubu Is Fake
IN SHORT: An image supposedly showing the meeting of Nigerian opposition leader Peter Obi and the president's son Seyi Tinubu has gone viral. But the photo is a manipulated photo… Read more »
West Africa: Niger Soldiers Remind Nigeria They're 'Not Playing'? No, Video of Independence Day Parade in Senegal
IN SHORT: A video has gone viral with the claim it shows the fearsome soldiers of Niger. But it was first posted online four months before the July 2023 coup in Niger and shows a… Read more »
Kenya: Former Kenyan Governor Mike Sonko Not Giving Out Cash On Facebook, Ignore Imposter Page
IN SHORT: Former Nairobi county governor Mike Sonko is known for both his flamboyance and generosity. But this Facebook page offering money in his name is on a scamming spree. Read more »
Kenya: Kenyans Beware! Facebook Account 'Icon Mentor Ctzn' Is Out to Scam You
IN SHORT: This Facebook account is offering cash to users from different Facebook groups who participate in its so-called promotions. But be warned, the account is run by a… Read more »
Kenya: No, Kenyan Actor Yasmeen Saiedi Not Running a Ksh35,000 Promotion On Facebook, Disregard Imposter Page
IN SHORT: This Facebook page promises cash giveaways in the name of Kenyan actor Yasmeen Saiedi. But it is another imposter account trying to scam fans. Read more »
Kenya: Beware of Facebook Account Impersonating Kenyan Actor Lucy Maina and Running Promotions
IN SHORT: Becky is a new Kenyan TV drama series that premiered in July 2023 on Citizen TV. But scammers have already started cashing in, using the main character's name and the… Read more »