The Kaduna State Government has officially signaled its intent to pursue stricter oversight of social media platforms, citing an urgent need to combat the rising tide of misinformation and disinformation. Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, articulated this stance during the close-out event of the Delimi PROSPER Project in Kaduna. According to the government, the digital landscape has transformed from a tool for democratic participation into a primary driver of communal discord, necessitating a shift in how online narratives are monitored and managed to preserve regional peace.
Data presented at the summit highlighted that digital platforms are playing an increasingly volatile role in the escalation of conflicts across Northern Nigeria. Commissioner Maiyaki emphasized that while social media offers undeniable benefits for transparency and civic engagement, these advantages are being overshadowed by the rapid spread of falsehoods. He warned that the ease with which divisive messages can be manufactured and disseminated poses a direct threat to social stability, requiring a proactive approach to ensure that the information ecosystem does not become a catalyst for violence.
The government’s call for regulation is framed as a commitment to international democratic standards, with the Commissioner noting that oversight is a common practice in modern societies to protect public interest. By collaborating with media organizations, civil society groups, and development partners, the Kaduna state administration aims to foster a culture of responsible information sharing. The objective is to curtail the influence of bad actors who exploit online anonymity to incite hostility and sow division among the diverse ethnic and religious groups within the state.
Providing technical context to these findings, the Executive Director of Engaging Borders Strategic Development and Research (SRD), Mr. Richard Ali, observed that the digital sphere has become a central arena for shaping volatile narratives. He argued that online spaces are now critical focal points in conflict dynamics, as they are used to mobilize groups and amplify tensions that might otherwise remain contained. Ali stressed that because of this, security strategies regarding peacebuilding and community resilience can no longer afford to ignore the digital domain.
The Delimi PROSPER Project, which served as the primary case study for these discussions, functioned between August 2025 and March 2026 across Kaduna and Plateau states. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and supported by the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRING) Programme, the initiative focused on youth-led advocacy and climate resilience. The project’s findings underscore the pivotal role of young people, identifying them as essential stakeholders who must be empowered to champion peaceful coexistence rather than being sidelined by extremist online rhetoric.
In conclusion, the event served as a clarion call for a multisectoral strategy to regulate the flow of information online. Participants agreed that coordinated efforts between government agencies and development partners are vital to maximize the potential of digital technology while curbing content that threatens social harmony. As the Delimi PROSPER Project officially concludes, the consensus remains clear: for peace to be sustainable, the digital environment must be governed with a focus on accountability, accuracy, and the collective defense of the public good.
