The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Dapo Olorunyomi, has cautioned that rising digital misinformation is escalating security challenges in Nigeria, stressing that the country is now dealing with “multiple pipelines of misinformation” that fuel instability.
Speaking to Myjoyonline on the sidelines of the 2025 Media and Development Conference organised by CJID in Abuja, Dapo Olorunyomi said the information landscape has become far more complex and dangerous, with false narratives spreading faster than institutions can respond.
“We used to have probably one pipeline, but today we have something like three or four,” he noted, explaining that government and security agencies now face a far more fragmented and unpredictable environment. He described the situation as “one of the biggest things” Nigeria must urgently confront.
Dapo Olorunyomi also raised concern about what he called “data colonialism”, warning that African countries risk losing control of their data to powerful global technology companies.
“All the big tech companies… we’re just pawns in their hands now,” he said. “How to wrestle control over our own data is one of the biggest challenges that we face in this new decade.”
The CJID CEO’s comments come at a time when West African governments are struggling to counter violent extremism and online propaganda that often spills into real-world conflict.
In Nigeria, violence from bandits had become more deadly and widespread. Clashes between herders and farmers over livelihoods, which persisted in the North-Central zone and other parts of the country, further saw a resurgence in the first half of 2025. Similarly, increasing criminality was reported in the Niger Delta, together with activity by violent gangs in the South-South and South-West.
There was continued Biafran secessionist activity in the South-East, with clashes between pro-Biafran armed groups and Nigerian security forces.
Media freedom advocates have repeatedly urged authorities to strengthen digital literacy, improve transparency, and avoid heavy-handed measures that could undermine civil rights.
The 2025 Media and Development Conference, under the theme “Reimagining Democracy, Development, and Data for the Next Decade”, brought together journalists, policymakers, researchers, and civil society groups to examine the evolving relationship between media, technology, and governance across the sub-region.