From Moshood Karim
The Voice of Nigeria (VON) has issued a formal apology to Nigerians, football enthusiasts, stakeholders in the sporting community, and supporters of the Super Falcons following the erroneous report that falsely claimed Nigeria lost to Morocco in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
In a statement made available to Uptown Press on Sunday, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of VON, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, expressed deep regret over what he described as a “reportorial blunder” and acknowledged the misinformation and confusion caused by the publication, which was posted on the agency’s website on the night of Saturday, 26 July.
“The erroneous report, which prematurely and falsely announced a Nigerian loss before the conclusion of the match, was both inaccurate and deeply unfortunate,” the statement read.
Mallam Ndace reaffirmed Nigeria’s resounding 3–2 victory over host nation Morocco, which saw the Super Falcons secure a record-extending tenth WAFCON title in a dramatic comeback performance that captivated the continent.
VON emphasised that the integrity of its journalism remains paramount and that while preliminary reviews point to internal lapses, the agency is also investigating the possibility of a cyber-security breach or identity theft through hacking, which may have contributed to the publication.
“We are taking appropriate steps to enhance the security of our digital platforms,” the statement noted, adding that VON has launched a full internal review and is implementing institutional safeguards to prevent future errors of such magnitude.
The broadcaster also clarified that no individual staff member, including the reporter initially linked to the article, is being singularly blamed for the incident. Instead, the organisation is focusing on systemic reforms, which include the establishment of an Investigative Desk, a Fact-Checking Unit, and a Monitoring and Evaluation Team.
As part of a broader restructuring process, VON has also introduced strategic staff redeployments aimed at improving editorial oversight and efficiency.
“These reforms reflect our broader commitment to repositioning VON as a more responsive, transparent, and globally respected media institution,” the statement added. “We remain steadfast in our dedication to our three pillars: People, Platform, and Partnership.”
Mallam Ndace thanked Nigerians for their constructive feedback and engagement, saying, “Your voices remind us that accountability is not a burden—it is a cornerstone of public service.”
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