X emerges as Nigeria’s leading source of online misinformation

Joy Agwunobi

The social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has been identified as the primary source of misinformation and disinformation among major online platforms in Nigeria.

According to a new report, 34 per cent  of users on X reported negative experiences, including cyberbullying, misinformation, and harassment.

The findings were unveiled by Shirley Ewang, Advocacy Lead at Gatefield, during a recent press briefing in Abuja. The report, titled “The State of Online Harms in Nigeria,” was produced by Gatefield with support from Luminate, highlighting the increasing dangers of social media usage, particularly for vulnerable groups.

The study, which surveyed over 500 Nigerians, revealed that women and young adults aged 25 to 34 are disproportionately affected by online abuse, with 58 per cent  experiencing some form of digital harm.

Despite these alarming trends, 31 per cent  of respondents said harmful content is rarely removed from platforms, raising questions about the effectiveness of content moderation policies by tech companies.

Ewang stressed the urgency of tackling these digital threats. “These findings are not just numbers; they represent real people suffering from online abuse, misinformation, and harassment daily. Tech platforms must strengthen their safeguards, and policymakers should intervene where platforms fall short,” she said.

The report further disclosed that while 60 per cent  of Nigerians have reported experiencing online harm, most believe no meaningful action was taken in response. X was ranked as the worst-performing platform, with 34 per cent  of users reporting negative encounters, followed by Facebook (29%) and WhatsApp (12%). In contrast, Instagram was viewed as the most responsive, with 26 per cent  of respondents stating that their complaints were effectively addressed.

A key concern raised in the report was the lack of transparency in content moderation processes. Ewang noted that many Nigerians believe tech companies prioritize profit over user safety.

The study also identified misinformation as the most significant digital threat in Nigeria, with 99 per cent  of respondents citing fake news as a major issue. Additionally, 91 per cent  of those surveyed expressed concerns that large tech companies hold excessive power over democratic processes, fearing the influence of digital platforms on public opinion and governance.

Experts at the event warned that unchecked misinformation could undermine national security, disrupt elections, and compromise public health. Digital rights advocates called for stronger policies to regulate content moderation and hold tech companies accountable for protecting user safety.

This is not the first time X has faced criticism over misinformation. In 2023, a report by the European Union (EU) Commission ranked X as the platform with the highest ratio of misinformation and disinformation posts. Vera Jourova, the EU Commission’s Vice-President for Values and Transparency, stated that X performed poorly in a pilot test under the EU Code of Practice on Disinformation.

The findings underscore the growing challenges of ensuring digital safety and highlight the urgent need for both platform accountability and regulatory reforms to protect online communities in Nigeria.