VON Apologises for False Report on Nigeria’s WAFCON Final Loss
By IDNN Media & Public Accountability Desk
The Voice of Nigeria (VON) has apologised for prematurely publishing a story falsely reporting that the Super Falcons had lost to Morocco in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations — before the match was over.
The retracted article, which went live online while the game was still being played in Rabat, wrongly declared Nigeria as runners-up, triggering immediate outrage across social media and professional circles.
The Super Falcons would go on to defy the 2-0 deficit and seal a breathtaking 3-2 comeback, winning their record-extending 10th WAFCON title. But by then, the damage to VON’s reputation had already begun.
In a statement released on Sunday, VON Director General Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace called the incident “deeply unfortunate,” adding that it “undermined public trust in the accuracy and integrity of our journalism.”
“We sincerely apologise for the misinformation and the confusion it caused. The erroneous report was published prematurely and does not reflect the standards we uphold,” Ndace said.
⚠️ INTERNAL LAPSE OR EXTERNAL ATTACK?
While initial findings point to a serious internal editorial lapse, the VON DG also raised concerns about a potential security breach or identity theft through hacking.
“We cannot rule out the possibility of a cyberattack,” Ndace noted, revealing that a forensic audit of the digital publication process is underway.
“As a public institution, we must be both accurate and secure. This incident forces us to strengthen both.”
🛠 REFORMS UNDERWAY
In response to the backlash, VON has initiated a round of institutional reforms:
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A dedicated Fact-Checking Desk
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An Investigative Monitoring Unit
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A full review of staff deployment and editorial workflow
“This is not about scapegoating a reporter,” Ndace clarified. “It’s about system failure — and fixing that system with urgency and transparency.”
🇳🇬 NATIONAL PRIDE VS MEDIA FAILURE
For many Nigerians, the mistake cut deeper than just a publishing error — it symbolized a lack of belief in the Super Falcons’ grit and fighting spirit.
“This wasn’t just a factual error. It was a betrayal of the national moment,” said digital rights advocate Tolu Aremu.
Media scholars have weighed in, calling the incident a case study in the dangers of real-time reporting without editorial safeguards.
📌 Footnote
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