Why Media Ethics Must Anchor the AFCON 2025 Narrative- Adenike Olawummi

 As the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) enters its climactic final stages in Morocco, a secondary battle is being fought not on the pitch, but in the pages of Nigerian newspapers and across social media. At the center of this storm is Primate Elijah Ayodele, founder of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, and his widely debated prophecy regarding Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman.

While football fans are prone to passion, the role of the journalist in this unfolding drama has raised serious questions about the ethics of attribution and the dangers of "interpretive reporting."

Before the tournament began, Primate Ayodele released a series of warnings, stating that certain players, including Ademola Lookman, would not "help" the team's cause. Since then, Lookman has arguably been Nigeria’s most consistent performer, netting four goals and providing three assists to lead the Super Eagles into a historic semi-final clash against Morocco.

Predictably, the contrast between the prophecy and the pitch has led to a barrage of criticism. However, a disturbing trend has emerged where journalists are filling in the blanks of public statements to fit a pre-conceived "Prophet vs. Public" narrative.

Ademola Lookman celebrating a goal at AFCON 2025 alongside an inset of Primate Ayodele during his 2026 prophecy release

The core of the ethical concern lies in how media outlets have handled recent comments from high-profile figures including the Adejobi Statement. Following Nigeria’s 2-0 quarter-final victory over Algeria, former Force PRO Muyiwa Adejobi posted, Where is that prophecy about Super Eagles again? without mentioning a name. Yet, several credible platforms immediately quoted him as referring specifically to Primate Ayodele.

 Similarly, when Pastor Enoch Adeboye recently made a general remark regarding "fake prophets" and football, the press was quick to tag Ayodele as the target.

As a journalist, the primary duty is to report the source’s words exactly. If a source says "A," adding "B" as a presumed identity is no longer reporting; it is editorializing.

AFCON 2025: A Test for Journalistic Integrity

The pressure of the 24-hour news cycle and the desire for "click-worthy" headlines should never override the foundational ethics of the profession. When journalists validate social media tags as fact, they risk: Attributing mockery to a specific individual when the source remains vague;

 Creating or fueling unnecessary tension between religious leaders or public officials and If a source later clarifies they were referring to someone else, the media house loses the trust of its readers.

The Final Verdict

Journalism is a mirror, not a paintbrush. Whether one believes in prophecies or not, the media's responsibility is to report the "who, what, and where" without inserting a "who we think they mean."

As the Super Eagles prepare for their semi-final in Rabat on Wednesday, January 14, the focus should remain on the brilliance of the players and the unity of the nation not on manufactured spiritual warfare fueled by ethical lapses in the newsroom.