The rapid spread of information through online/offline platforms has brought unprecedented challenges within and outside Nigeria. Information disorder has become a phenomenon characterized by the spread of false, fake, misleading, manipulated, and inaccurate information that can mislead and deceive the public.
The Nigerian government, under Bola Tinubu, has seen information disorder take center stage. Personnel announcements, policy rollout, and presidential positions have been affected in an era where governments are faced with the challenge of increased access to information – and misinformation.
While numerous observers attribute the crux of the issue to the government’s poor and clumsy handling of communication and (public) engagement, others contend that certain machinery and non-state actors exacerbate information disorder through sponsored activities. To what extent can we lend credit to these conclusions? Where can we put the Nigerian government on the spectrum of fueling and fighting information disorder?