The Voice of Nigeria (VON) has publicly apologized for a false report published on its website that incorrectly announced Nigeria’s defeat in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), even before the match concluded. The management described the error as regrettable and deeply unfortunate, acknowledging the confusion and concern it caused among readers and football fans.
The erroneous report was released on the night of Saturday, July 26, while the Super Falcons were still battling Morocco in a tense final match. Contrary to the report, Nigeria mounted a remarkable comeback to defeat the host nation 3–2, clinching a historic tenth WAFCON title and reaffirming their dominance in African women’s football.
In a statement signed by the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of VON, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, the organisation expressed gratitude to the public for their support, feedback, and calls for accountability.
The statement noted that the integrity of VON’s journalism remains paramount and assured Nigerians that the incident is being taken seriously.
While a preliminary review pointed to an internal editorial lapse, the management revealed that it is also investigating the possibility of a cyber breach or identity theft through hacking.
Mallam Ndace explained that as a government-owned media organisation operating in the digital age, VON cannot rule out cyber threats and is currently strengthening the security of its online platforms to prevent future breaches.
The Director General made it clear that no single staff member, including the reporter initially associated with the false story, is being blamed for the error.
Instead, the organisation sees the incident as a wake-up call for strengthening internal processes and building safeguards against similar occurrences.
As part of a broader strategy to improve editorial accuracy and restore public confidence, VON has initiated a series of internal reforms. These include the establishment of new editorial structures and the strategic redeployment of staff.
The reforms aim to improve accountability, enhance resilience, and ensure that content across all VON platforms meets the highest standards of professionalism and accuracy.
According to Mallam Ndace, these efforts are part of a wider commitment to reposition VON as a responsive, transparent, and globally respected international broadcaster.
He reaffirmed the organisation’s dedication to its core values of people, platform, and partnership, and emphasized that the responsibility of public service comes with the obligation to be accountable and continually improve.
The Director General concluded by thanking the public for their continued engagement and support, noting that such moments of reflection and correction strengthen the bond between the media and the people it serves.