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ICIR/FactCheckHub wins Global Fact-checking Award

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THE International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) and FactCheckHub have won the Gold Standard Award at the 2026 Global Fact-Checking Awards for their investigation on how artificial intelligence was weaponised to promote fraudulent investment schemes in Nigeria.

The award was announced on Friday, June 19, at GlobalFact 2026, the annual conference of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), held in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The winning investigation, authored by Nurudeen Akewushola, a senior Investigative journalist and fact-checker with The ICIR was produced by ICIR in collaboration with FactCheckHub, an IFCN signatory, with support from the Pulitzer Center.

The report titled “AI-assisted Ponzi schemes: How Meta, YouTube’s regulatory lapses enable scammers smile to banks,” examined how fraudsters exploited the growing public fascination with artificial intelligence to repackage traditional Ponzi schemes as sophisticated “AI-powered” investment platforms.

Through undercover reporting, open-source intelligence (OSINT), and digital forensic techniques, the investigation exposed how operators used deepfake videos, cloned voices, fabricated identities, and fake endorsements by public figures to lure unsuspecting victims.

The investigation also revealed how major technology platforms failed to effectively enforce their own policies against deceptive financial advertising, allowing fraudulent promotions to reach thousands of users.

In announcing the finalists earlier this month, the IFCN described the investigation as reporting that “exposed AI-assisted Ponzi schemes that caused direct financial harm to vulnerable audiences, while also revealing enforcement failures by Meta and YouTube.”

The reporter traced the operations of several purported AI-powered investment platforms, including CBEX, Quantum AI, SquaredOptions, and Modmount Limited.

The investigation found that many of the schemes were unlicensed and relied on synthetic media and deceptive marketing tactics rather than genuine artificial intelligence systems.

Following publication of the report, Meta removed several fraudulent pages, accounts, and advertisements identified during the investigation.

The Gold Standard Award is regarded as the highest honour presented by the IFCN, recognising fact-checking journalism that demonstrates exceptional standards of verification, research, transparency, fairness, and public service.

ICIR and FactCheckHub emerged ahead of finalists from Jordan and Norway in a category judged by an international panel of experts from journalism, academia, and the fact-checking community.

The award marks a significant international recognition for Nigerian journalism and highlights the growing role of investigative reporting, OSINT, and digital forensic techniques in exposing emerging forms of technology-enabled fraud.

Speaking on the recognition, the organisations described the award as a testament to the importance of rigorous, evidence-based journalism in holding powerful actors accountable and protecting the public from harm in an increasingly complex digital information environment.

Reacting to the development, Akewushola, who also is the acting team lead of the FactCheckHub said: “I am deeply honoured that this investigation has received the Gold Standard Award at the 2026 Global Fact-Checking Awards.

“This recognition is particularly meaningful because it celebrates rigorous verification, transparency, and public-interest journalism at a time when artificial intelligence is increasingly being weaponised to deceive vulnerable people.”

He stressed that the award is a testament to the importance of investigative reporting and factchecking in exposing emerging threats in the digital information ecosystem.

“I am grateful to the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) and FactCheckHub for providing the editorial support, guidance, and collaborative environment that made this investigation possible.

”I also sincerely thank the Pulitzer Center for supporting this investigation. Their support enabled the time, resources, and depth of reporting required to uncover a complex network of AI-driven scams operating across multiple platforms and jurisdictions,” he said.

He added that the achievement reflected the commitment of both organisations to producing impactful journalism that holds powerful actors accountable and protects the public from harm.

Investigation uncovers how Nigerians, others were exploited by visa outsourcing company

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For thousands of Nigerians seeking to travel abroad each year, the visa process is an expensive ordeal. This investigation by Lighthouse Reports reveals how VFS Global, the world’s largest visa outsourcing company, now faces allegations of exploiting vulnerable applicants.

A year-long cross-border investigation coordinated by Lighthouse Reports has uncovered how VFS Global, the world’s largest visa outsourcing company, built a profitable business by aggressively selling optional services to visa applicants, many of whom believed they had little choice but to pay.

The investigation found that VFS generated substantial profits from selling add-on services such as SMS notifications, courier delivery, e-visa account creation and access to premium lounges. Applicants in many countries including Nigeria, say they sometimes feel pressured or misled into purchasing services that are not mandatory.

In response, VFS Global denied that its financial success resulted from improper practices. In a statement, the company insisted that any suggestion that “VFS Global’s financial growth has been generated through improper conduct is false.”

As the world’s largest visa outsourcing firm, VFS Global manages visa application centres on behalf of 71 governments, including several European countries.

Yet, the report which involved 14 international media organisations revealed that a current visa officer working for VFS in Nigeria told investigators that frontline workers face intense pressure to convince applicants to purchase additional services because bonuses from those sales can significantly exceed their monthly salaries.

It stated that most Nigerian VFS contractors earn about €126 which is roughly N220,000 at current exchange rates per month, while commissions from selling optional services can amount to almost twice their base salaries.

The incentive structure, investigators found, encourages aggressive sales tactics directed at applicants who often assume VFS staff are speaking on behalf of foreign embassies.

Former employees in several countries allegedly admitted that optional services were sometimes added to customers’ bills without their consent because many applicants simply paid without questioning the charges.

The report argued that the outsourcing model has effectively created a captive market in which applicants have limited alternatives, particularly those from countries with relatively weak passports.

For many Nigerians applying for Schengen, UK, Canadian and other visas processed through VFS centres, the company serves as the mandatory first contact point. Although embassies determine whether visas are approved or not, applicants are generally required to submit their documents through VFS and pay both government visa fees and VFS service charges.

Lighthouse Reports said it traced many travellers across Africa, Asia and the Middle East who felt compelled to purchase additional services after being told they would speed up processing, improve convenience or were necessary to complete their applications.

They claimed after analysing VFS Global’s financial records, they found the company’s profitability had grown dramatically. Consolidated financial statements reviewed during the investigation revealed that the company’s profits increased fourfold between 2017 and 2024 and that revenue from value-added services has become a major driver of the company’s financial growth.

Further analysis, it said from the more than 2,000 visa application receipts obtained through Freedom of Information requests from Swedish embassies across 16 countries in Africa and Asia revealed that value-added services accounted for approximately 30 percent of VFS’s revenue in the sampled applications.

Internal European Union documents obtained through Freedom of Information requests allegedly shows that governments contracting VFS were aware of recurring shortcomings in the company’s operations but rarely imposed significant sanctions.

 

 

FG considers embedding journalists with troops to boost security reporting

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THE Federal Government has revealed its plans to allow select journalists to accompany troops during operations against insurgents and related tasks.

According to the government, the decision will improve security reporting and deepen public understanding of ongoing counterinsurgency efforts in the country.

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, a retired general, stated this on Thursday at the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja. The minister was represented at the event by his Special Adviser, Olusanya Bankole, a Rear Admiral.

According to the minister, the initiative is intended to strengthen cooperation between the media and security institutions while also encouraging more openness in the communication of military activities.

Musa emphasised that journalists play a central role in how citizens perceive national security efforts, noting that modern security challenges are increasingly shaped not only by battlefield actions but also by how information is shared and interpreted.

“More than ever before, the media are not only enablers; they are stabilisers of government,” the minister said.

Musa added that the initiative was part of wider efforts to ensure that information reaching the public about security operations is accurate and properly contextualised.

He also noted that the effectiveness of military operations should not only be judged by operational success on the ground, but also by the level of trust and confidence the public has in security agencies.

According to him, stronger collaboration between journalists and security bodies would help reduce misinformation, improve transparency, and support better national security outcomes.

The proposal comes at a time when Nigeria continues to face several security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes across different regions.

Security agencies have often been criticised for limiting access to operational zones, a situation that has, in some cases, resulted in conflicting reports, misinformation, and public doubts about what is happening in conflict areas.

THE ICIR reported the government’s concerns over how insecurity is covered in the media. It urged journalists to exercise caution in reporting terrorist-related activities.

Lagos police arrest 26 foreigners over false kidnap claim

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THE Police Command in Lagos State has apprehended 26 foreign nationals following investigations into a reported kidnapping case that was later found to be false.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that those apprehended comprised 19 Chadians and seven Cameroonians.
A 22-year-old Cameroonian woman had reported to the police that she was kidnapped after travelling to Nigeria to meet a 39-year-old Chadian man she had been dating online.
However, investigations revealed that the report was false and was allegedly made after the woman discovered that the man was married.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, subsequently directed that the case be transferred from Area N Command, Ijede, Ikorodu, to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, for further investigation.
A police source told NAN on Friday that the report, made on June 16, prompted an immediate rescue operation.
According to the source, communication challenges initially complicated the case because the woman could not speak English fluently, leading officers to treat the complaint as a genuine kidnapping incident.
“The woman travelled from Cameroon to meet her lover whom she had been communicating with online but became disappointed after discovering that he was married.
“She subsequently sought a way to return home without informing him and reported that she had been kidnapped,” the source said.
The source said police operatives traced the location where the woman claimed she was being held and discovered several other foreign nationals residing in an apartment.
He said the operation led to the apprehension of the 26 foreigners, aged between 19 and 50 years, including four women.
According to him, the individuals claimed to be involved in a networking business linked to a company identified as Ignite.
“The foreigners could not provide valid travel documents, while some are suspected to have entered the country through irregular routes.
“They are currently undergoing profiling and immigration-related checks to determine their legal status and whether any laws have been violated,” the source said.
He added that the investigation was being handled by the Diplomatic and Foreigners Desk of the SCID under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the department, Dayo Akinbisehin.
The source said investigations were ongoing and that appropriate action would be taken based on the outcome.
The ICIR reported recently that the Lagos State Police Command has apprehended 10 members of a syndicate for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting victims of millions of naira.

The suspects allegedly lured fellow Cameroonians to Nigeria with promises of securing visas, work permits and residency documents for destinations such as Mauritius, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Victims were made to pay huge sums of money for the purported travel arrangements, which never materialised.

(NAN)

Ekiti governorship poll is litmus test for credible 2027 elections – Situation Room

THE Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room has said that the Ekiti State governorship election, scheduled for tomorrow, June 20, will determine the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible elections in 2027.

Comprising 70 civil society organisations working to promote credible, transparent, and democratic elections in Nigeria, the group said it would deploy election observers across 16 Local Government Areas of the state to monitor the poll.

Addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti, its leaders, including Ene Obi, immediate past Co-Convener, Situation Room; Celestine Okwudili, ActionAid Nigeria Head of Programme and Policy; Mma Odi, current Co-Convener, Situation Room; and Franklin Oloniju, Executive Director, Life and Peace Development Organization said the Ekiti election would show how INEC would implement key reforms introduced by the amended Electoral Act.

“The observation mission seeks to independently assess the conduct of the election against the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the 2026 Electoral Act, INEC Guidelines and Regulations as well as international standards for democratic elections.

“Situation Room will also assess the elections, using its credibility threshold for the 2027 general elections, whose main theme is focused on restoring confidence in the electoral process, and hoping that this will be achieved by increased integrity of elections, improved delivery of elections, and greater engagement and involvement of citizens in the electoral process.”

The group said its preliminary impression of the poll showed that the situation in the state had been calm and peaceful on the eve of the election, and citizens were carrying on regular life.

It also said the distribution of sensitive materials to LGAs by INEC had been hitch-free.

The Situation Room however decried low-level competition among political parties in the exercise and promised to focus on the participation of residents in hard-to-reach communities. it also stressed that its attention would be on attitudes of security officials deployed for the poll.

“Citizens should be able to exercise their democratic right without fear, intimidation, violence or harassment,” the group stated.

“As part of its pre-election assessment, CLEEN Foundation, one of Situation Room’s partners, identified Ado-Ekiti LGA as the highest risk location because of the concentration of political actors and election-related activities…

”Historically, off-cycle elections in Ekiti State have raised concerns of voter inducement, known as ‘stomach infrastructure,’ and the influence of money in the electoral process,” said the group.

The ICIR reports that the state has remained peaceful, with residents going about their lawful activities. Early morning downpours on Friday, however, kept most residents indoors in Ado and surrounding communities.

Security personnel comprising of the military, police, and other agencies have been deployed to the state capital, with patrol teams monitoring major streets ahead of the election.

The INEC had earlier reported that 1,028,929 out of 1,059,360 total registered voters in the state have collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs). It also reported that the State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who is seeking re-election, would vie for the most exalted political seat in the state with 10 other political parties.

 

 

 

Pre-election LIVE-CHECK for Ekiti 2026 governorship election

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AHEAD of the Ekiti State 2026 Governorship Election slated for tomorrow, June 20, our team of journalists, researchers, fact-checkers, social media monitors, editors, and OSINT experts are on ground at the Nigerian Fact-checkers’ Coalition’s (NFC) Election Situation Rooms. We are ready to debunk election-related misinformation and disinformation content targeted at causing voter apathy, inciting violence or influencing the outcome of gubernatorial poll.


Do you have an election-related claim you want us to fact-check?

Share with the NFC via WhatsApp here.

This page is constantly being updated with verified checks. Kindly scroll downward to read them.

CLAIM 1 

Roundoff News, a news blog, has claimed (archived) that the Zenith Labour Party candidate, Victor Adetunji, has stepped down and endorsed the incumbent Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji.

FINDINGS

The Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition (NFC) spoke with Yahaya Makama, the National Secretary of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). Makama confirmed the claim to be true but noted that the ZLP was not consulted before the candidate, Victor Adetunji, stepped down and endorsed Oyebanji.

“We didn’t endorse it here, and at the national level. We don’t know anything, as far as we are concerned. We are not aware of it, and we don’t endorse it. He did it without the consent of the national level.”

Makama added that the candidate’s action is the reason the party took action against its state chairperson, and the party does not endorse the All Progressives Congress candidate.

Yinka Oyebode, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, also confirmed Adetunji stepped down and has shown support for Oyebanji.

VERDICT: CORRECT

SOURCE: Yahaya Makama, ZLP National Secretary and Chief Press Secretary to Ekiti State governor, Yinka Oyebode.

DATE: June 18, 2026

FACT CHECK AUTHOR: Muktar Balogun

EDITORS: Lois Ugbede, Opeyemi Kehinde, and Simbiat Bakare.

CLAIM 2 

A Facebook user shared an image (archived here) claiming it shows Ekiti residents collecting food items from politicians ahead of the June 20, 2026, gubernatorial elections.

FINDINGS

Google Reverse Image Search results linked the image to a separate event, which took place in Oyo State on June 9, 2026. Sahara Reporters, Lagelu FM and Punch explained that the image showed some Oyo residents expressing their support for Sharafadeen Alli, an APC politician, after he distributed 1kg sachets of Semovita during a political outreach.

VERDICT: Misleading.

SOURCE: Sahara Reporters, Lagelu FM and Punch.

DATE: June 19, 2026

FACT CHECK AUTHOR:  Sunday Awosoro

EDITORS: Bamas Victoria & Simbiat Bakare

CLAIM 3

The Nation Newspaper claimed (archived) that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has withdrawn support for its governorship candidate, Peter Obafemi, and adopted incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

FINDINGS

The Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition (NFC) found several reports stating that the SDP, at the state level, has rallied support and aligned its structure with the APC to support the governor’s re-election bid. 

However, in a statement reported by TVC News and The Independent Newspaper, the SDP national leadership publicly distanced itself from the statement. The National Organising Secretary, Dr Uchechukwu Chukwuma Ogbonna, assured members of the party that they remain behind the party’s candidate, Peter Olugbenga Obafemi

Obafemi also reaffirmed his position as one of the people’s options at the polls. He said this while discussing his plans for the people of Ekiti on the TVC News YouTube page on Thursday, 18 June 2026.

Despite the intra-party dispute in SDP, INEC told the NFC that the party remains on the ballot and that votes cast for the party will be recorded. 

VERDICT: MISLEADING

SOURCE: TVC News, The Independent Newspaper and INEC

DATE: 19 June 2026

FACT CHECK AUTHOR: Muktar Balogun

EDITORS: Bamas Victoria & Lois Ugbede

CLAIM 4

An X user @OyoNews1 claims (archived here) that 13 political parties were cleared by INEC.  

FINDINGS

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID), and DUBAWA’s publications reveal there were 14 candidates cleared by INEC to contest for the top political seat in Ekiti State.

However, Joseph Anifowose (APM) in May 2026 declared support for the current governor, Abiodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Victor Adetunji of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) also stepped down in support of the APC candidate on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

Meanwhile, INEC has included the Social Democratic Party (SDP)’s candidate, Peter Obafemi, in the governorship race, despite its leadership crisis. INEC, Ekiti State, told the Nigerian Fact-Checking Coalition (NFC) that despite the inclusion, there is no updated official list reflecting the new development.

Consequently, only 13 candidates are currently in the race.    

VERDICT: CORRECT

SOURCE: INEC, DUBAWA, Arise News, The Nation

DATE: 19 June 2026

FACT CHECK AUTHOR:  Cole Praise

EDITORS: Lois Ugbede and Opeyemi Kehinde 

 

Claim 5   

A picture is going viral on WhatsApp with the headline, “Ekiti High Court “nullifies” Supreme Court’s Verdict,” linking the story to the ongoing elections in the state.

 

FINDINGS

A Google search revealed that the picture in question was a screenshot of an old news article published by The Nation in 2019. The context is the relocation of the Ilejemeje local government council headquarters from Iye-Ekiti to Eda-Oniyo, Ekiti State. 

After a unanimous decision by the Supreme Court in support of the relocation, Justice Abiodun Adesodun of the Ekiti High Court faulted the government’s compliance with the verdict and insisted that the status quo be maintained until the final ruling of the lower court on the case.

The story was also reported by Vanguard News and Premium Times Nigeria that same year.

VERDICT: MISLEADING

SOURCES: Vanguard Newspaper and Premium Times.

DATE:  19 June 2026

FACT CHECK AUTHOR: Rebecca Ogungbure

EDITORS: Ajibola Amzat and Opeyemi Kehinde 

 

Dashboard: Governorship Elections in Ekiti State (2014 – 2022)

Click on the button at the top to navigate through the election years.

FG urges media to keep terrorists off front pages amid worsening insecurity

THE Federal Government has urged journalists to stop giving prominence to the activities of terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups, arguing that excessive publicity helps amplify their operations despite the country’s worsening security crisis.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call on Thursday in Abuja at a two-day National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with the State Security Service (SSS).

“Yes, we have to do our work, we have to report whatever happens, but you must know that the best reporter, the best editor, is the one that knows what not to report in the interest of nation-building. Please, take these terrorists and criminals off your front pages,” the minister said.

He noted that without a secure and peaceful country, the media would not have an enabling environment to operate, urging editors to celebrate the sacrifices of young men and women in military and paramilitary institutions, instead of giving free publicity to insurgents.

​“We must have a Nigeria to report first before we can even have a union or any other media organisation. Please, let’s have that at the back of our minds. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that this nation survives,” he said.

The minister maintained that the administration of President Bola Tinubu was pursuing both military and non-military approaches to tackle insecurity and insisted that responsible journalism should support nation-building.

His remarks come amid persistent attacks across several parts of the country despite rising security spending and repeated government assurances.

One of The ICIR reports showed how insecurity worsened despite increased allocations to security agencies. More than 44,000 people were killed in various conflicts over five years.

More recently, The ICIR reported that 18,079 people were killed and 8,043 abducted between May 2023 and May 2025, despite military operations that the Defence Headquarters said led to the killing of 6,260 terrorists.

Another ICIR data-driven report showed that at least 32,667 people were killed and 23,187 kidnapped across Nigeria between 2021 and 2026, underscoring the government’s continuing struggle to contain violence.

The security crisis has also taken a toll on the armed forces, with military personnel regularly among casualties in attacks by insurgents and bandits, while rights groups have raised concerns over civilian deaths linked to military airstrikes.

Cortagen Peptide: A Short Neuroregulatory Segment in Molecular and Cognitive Research

By Caroline Cora

Peptides continue to occupy a distinct position within modern molecular science. Situated conceptually between single amino acids and complex proteins, these short chains are increasingly examined for their regulatory and signaling properties inside biological systems. Among the numerous peptides explored in contemporary research, Cortagen has attracted attention because of its association with neural signaling pathways and regulatory mechanisms related to cellular communication.

Cortagen belongs to a class of small regulatory peptides sometimes referred to as cytomedins. These compounds were originally characterized within neurochemical investigations exploring molecular fragments derived from neural tissues. Cortagen itself consists of a short sequence of amino acids that has been theorized to interact with regulatory processes involved in neuronal activity, gene expression, and cellular coordination within the central nervous system of the organism.

Structural Characteristics and Molecular Profile of Cortagen

Cortagen is described as a tetrapeptide, composed of four amino acids arranged in the sequence Ala–Glu–Asp–Pro. Despite the modest size of this sequence, peptides of comparable length have been theorized to function as signaling fragments with the potential of interacting with intracellular regulatory models.

Within biochemical contexts, compounds such as Cortagen are often discussed as informational molecules. Investigations purport that small peptides may interact with chromatin structures and influence the accessibility of certain gene regions. Through such interactions, peptides are believed to indirectly guide transcriptional activity, potentially shaping cellular behavior in specific tissues.

The architectural simplicity of Cortagen has led some researchers to propose that its molecular stability and compact size might facilitate interactions inside the intracellular environment of neural cells. Studies suggest that short peptides might frequently possess the potential to diffuse through cellular compartments and associate with molecular partners involved in transcriptional regulation or metabolic signaling.

Cortagen and Neural Gene Expression

One of the most intriguing conceptual models surrounding Cortagen concerns its possible relationship with gene regulation inside neural cells. Research indicates that peptides of the cytomedin category might interact with DNA or chromatin-associated proteins that influence transcriptional processes.

Among neural research contexts, the regulation of gene expression is important for maintaining cellular communication, synaptic plasticity, and structural stability within neural system networks. Investigations purport that small regulatory peptides might serve as modulators with the potential of slightly shaping transcriptional patterns associated with neuronal maintenance.

Cortagen has been theorized to influence the expression of genes involved in neuronal differentiation and synaptic signaling. Through this lens, the peptide might participate in molecular communication pathways that help coordinate neural functionality among different cellular populations.

Another theoretical perspective indicates that short peptides might act as epigenetic modulators. Epigenetic processes implicate chemical alterations that influence how genetic information is interpreted without changing the underlying DNA sequence. Some researchers hypothesize that peptides such as Cortagen may interact with histone-associated proteins or other chromatin regulators, potentially shaping transcriptional accessibility in neural cells.

Possible Role in Neuroregulatory Signaling Networks

Neural systems count on elaborate networks of molecular signals to coordinate communication between cells. Neurotransmitters, growth factors, and peptides all contribute to this highly organized signaling landscape.

Within this system, Cortagen has been theorized as a potential participant in neuroregulatory signaling. Data suggest that short peptides might influence neuronal signaling pathways involved in cellular communication and structural maintenance.

One proposed explanation involves interactions between regulatory peptides and intracellular signaling fluctuations. These cascades commonly rely on phosphorylation pathways, transcription factors, and secondary messengers that transmit molecular information across cellular compartments.

Cortagen in Molecular Aging Research

Another area where Cortagen has drawn attention involves theoretical discussions concerning molecular aging processes inside neural tissues. Aging inside the neural systems is frequently associated with gradual alterations in gene expression patterns, cellular signaling pathways, and regulatory mechanisms that maintain neuronal integrity.

Research indicates that small regulatory peptides might participate in mechanisms that influence genomic stability and transcriptional coordination. In this context, Cortagen has been examined as a peptide potentially involved in maintaining regulatory balance inside neural cellular populations.

Potential Applications in Cognitive and Neuroinformatics Research

The complexity of neural systems has prompted interdisciplinary research efforts combining neuroscience with computational study and molecular biology. Within this wider scientific landscape, Cortagen has become relevant in discussions related to cognitive regulation and neuroinformatics.

Research indicates that neural signaling pathways operate through highly organized molecular patterns involving transcriptional regulation, protein synthesis, and intracellular communication. Peptides with the potential of influencing gene expression may therefore function as valuable tools for exploring how neural networks preserve functional organization.

Future Directions in Peptide-Based Research

The study of short regulatory peptides continues to expand as new analytical technologies allow more precise investigation of molecular binding. Advances in proteomics, transcriptomics, and computational prediction have made it progressively feasible to explore how peptides interact with genomic structures and cellular signaling pathways.

Within this developing landscape, Cortagen is a peptide of interest because of its association with neural regulatory processes. Research suggests that compounds of similar length may participate in transcriptional modulation, chromatin organization, and intracellular communication networks.

Conclusion

Cortagen represents a convincing example of how short peptide sequences may participate in sophisticated molecular communication systems. Although composed of only four amino acids, the peptide has been discussed within scientific literature as a potential regulator of neural gene expression and intracellular signaling. Researchers interested in more useful peptide data, may check this Cortagen study.

References

[i] Khavinson, V. K., & Malinin, V. V. (2005). Peptides and ageing. Basel, Switzerland: Karger.

[ii] Zlokovic, B. V. (2008). The blood–brain barrier in health and chronic neurodegenerative disorders. Neuron, 57(2), 178–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2008.01.003

[iii] Khavinson, V. K., Shataeva, L. K., Mikhailova, A. A., & Obukhova, L. K. (2011). Short peptides regulate gene expression and protein synthesis during aging. Advances in Gerontology, 1(1), 55–60. https://doi.org/10.1134/S2079057011010068

[iv] Ashmarin, I. P., & Obukhova, M. F. (1996). Regulatory peptides of the nervous system. Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology, 26(2), 171–177. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02359020

[v] Khavinson, V. K., & Morozov, V. G. (2003). Peptide bioregulation of aging: Results and prospects. Biogerontology, 4(1), 41–48. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022438214913

1.02m voters collected PVCs for Ekiti governorship election – INEC

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 1,028,929 out of 1,059,360 total registered voters in Ekiti have collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) ahead of the state governorship election holding on Saturday, June 20.

Mohammed Haruna, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, following the conclusion of the PVC collection in the state.

Haruna noted that following the suspension of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the state on Thursday, May 15, and subsequent clean-up of the voters’ register, the number of registered voters in the state rose from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026.

“Similarly, the number of PVCs collected rose from 958,052 in 2023, representing a collection rate of 97.0 per cent, to 1,028,929 in 2026, representing 97.1 per cent of registered voters,” he said.

Haruna recalled that the PVC collection exercise, originally scheduled to end on June 11, was extended to June 14, following consultations with stakeholders at a meeting held in Ado-Ekiti.

He also said that in line with the provisions of Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, the commission made available to registered voters replacement PVCs in the event of the loss, damage or defacement of their original PVC.

Haruna stated that under the arrangement, 14,406 applications were received within the stipulated time, and all the replacement PVCs were printed, most of which have been collected.

“The option of a downloadable copy of the lost, damaged or defaced voter cards could not be implemented in this election because the necessary technology infrastructure for this is yet to be completed.

“The option would be available to voters in subsequent elections, especially the Osun governorship election in August 2026 and the 2027 general election,” he said.

Haruna appreciated the support of stakeholders, including traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, political parties and the media, in mobilising citizens to collect their PVCs and prepare for the poll.

He also said that for the Ekiti governorship election, all PVCs had been printed and made available for all eligible applicants, including those who requested a transfer, or applied for the replacement of lost, damaged or defaced cards.

Haruna said that a detailed breakdown of PVC collection by Local Government Area (LGA) had been uploaded on the commission’s website and social media platforms.

He urged all registered voters who had collected their PVCs to turn out peacefully and exercise their franchise on election day.

Haruna reassured the people of Ekiti State of INEC commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election.

The ICIR reported that the state Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who is seeking re-election, will be vying for the most exalted political seat in the state with 10 other political parties.

(NAN)