Navigating Misinformation in the Sahel: Regional Impacts and Nigeria’s Stake

The Sahel has become an essential theatre of operation for foreign influence. Russia and China, responding to strategic and economic interests, have used misinformation and disinformation to extend their influence at the expense of, or in rivalry with, Western powers, especially the United States and France. These industrial-scale campaigns are now mainly promoted through social media and finding fertile ground in disaffected or vulnerable populations, exacerbating security and socio-economic crises. Consequences spill over into Nigeria, where misinformation fosters distrust, undermines regional stability, and undermines good governance.

This edition of the Nextier SPD Policy Weekly explores the strategic misinformation and disinformation efforts by Russia, China, and other actors in the Sahel, examining their impact on regional stability, security, and Nigeria’s geopolitical landscape.

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