Influence of conspiracy theories, misinformation and knowledge on public adoption of Nigerian government’s COVID-19 containment policies

Abstract

This study examined the individual and collective influence of conspiracy theories, misinformation and knowledge revolving around COVID-19, on public adoption of the Nigerian government’s containment policies. The study adopted the Survey, and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) methods. For the survey, a sample of 466 respondents were drawn from Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp, while 24 participants were selected for the FGD. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and thematic approach were used to analyse data generated from the study. Results revealed a COVID-19 conspiratorial thinking among survey respondents and FGD participants, who were also familiar with the orgy of unbridled dissemination of misinformation and conspiracy theories in the social media space. Majority of respondents were knowledgeable about government’s COVID-19 containment policies and were practicing the recommended safety measures. Their decision was influenced by trust in opinion leaders, especially family members and medical experts.

Enforcement of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown orders in Nigeria: Evidence of public (non)compliance and police illegalities

“…(Akinlabi, 2020) [ 7 ]. Hence, mistrust and insinuation of corruption fueled disobedience in Ilorin City, which was part of the conspiracy theories Amobi et al (2020) [ 13 ] observed in citizens. Despite that, the compliance in Ilorin was high, as 57% of this study's participants were obedient to the curfew order, which is an important measure used to control community transmission of the pandemic (Alfano and Ercolano, 2020) [ 9 ].…”

“…Thus, procedural justice theory addresses the inquiry. Amobi et al (2020) [ 13 ] observed that compliance with the lockdown directive in Nigeria resulted from normative thinking rooted in the trust people had in opinion leaders and medical experts on the threats of COVID-19 even amidst conspiracy theories being coined by different quarters. If the conspiracy theories are accepted and the trust in medical experts is non-existent, they will be less disposed to abide by the lockdown orders (Mian and Khan 2020) [ 53 ].…”

Gender- Behind-The-Camera: Women’s Career Experiences in Television Stations in Lagos, Nigeria

“…Another of such few studies in the area of women behind the camera titled 'Gender Equity in Behind-The-Camera Roles in Television Stations in Lagos Nigeria'. The study was conducted by Amobi and Akinuliola (2022). The study focused on the level of parity between the income of women working behind the camera in television stations in Lagos and that of their male counterparts, the extent to which women in television stations are promoted as against their male counterparts, and the extent to which women in television stations enjoy equal training opportunities as against their male counterparts.…”