The Kaduna State Government has recently voiced a strong call for better oversight of social media platforms, highlighting a sobering reality: while our digital tools were meant to connect us, they are increasingly becoming the frontline for misinformation and conflict. Ahmed Maiyaki, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, shared these concerns during the concluding session of the Delimi PROSPER Project. His message was clear—social media has become a double-edged sword. While it has democratized information and allowed citizens to hold their leaders accountable, the same platforms are being weaponized to amplify rumors and spread falsehoods that destabilize our communities and threaten the delicate fabric of our peace.
This concern wasn’t just formal rhetoric; it was based on rigorous research presented at the forum. Findings from the Delimi PROSPER Project, conducted across Kaduna and Plateau states, painted a stark picture: digital platforms are no longer just passive venues for discussion; they are active drivers of regional conflict. They serve as the soil where divisive narratives take root, where groups are mobilized for hostility, and where local tensions are pushed to a boiling point. The research suggests that if we want to talk about peacebuilding in the modern age, we cannot afford to ignore the digital space, as it has become a central arena where the stability of our neighborhoods is either protected or dismantled.
The government’s response to this, according to Mr. Maiyaki, is not to stifle voices but to promote responsible engagement. He emphasized that the state is eager to collaborate with media organizations, local youth groups, and international partners to push back against the tide of harmful content. The goal, he noted, is to foster a culture of accuracy. In a world where a lie can travel halfway around the globe before the truth puts on its shoes, we must ask more of our digital citizens. The Commissioner warned that those who deliberately use the internet to spread hate and create divisions are not just practicing “free speech”—they are actively sabotaging the lives of their fellow citizens.
For those who worry that oversight might threaten democratic freedom, the government offers a different perspective: such regulation is standard practice in many functioning democracies around the world. The aim is to create an environment where the internet remains a tool for progress rather than a catalyst for violence. Richard Ali, the Executive Director of Engaging Borders Strategic Development and Research, reinforced this by pointing out that digital platforms have fundamentally changed the “physics” of conflict. He argued that we are now living in an era where narratives shape reality, and if we allow online spaces to become lawless zones, we are effectively choosing to ignore the most dangerous spark threatening our communities today.
The key to navigating this transition, according to the experts at the project’s finish line, lies in the youth. Since young people are the most active users of digital spaces, they are also the most important architects of digital peace. The Delimi PROSPER Project, which focused heavily on youth-led advocacy, proves that when young people are given the tools to mediate conflict and identify propaganda, they become incredibly effective community defenders. By shifting the energy of our youth from reactive, emotional posting to proactive, resilient advocacy, we can reclaim these platforms. It is about equipping the next generation to be “digital gatekeepers” who value truth over virality.
Ultimately, the conclusion drawn by stakeholders in Kaduna is that we are in a race against the influence of malicious digital actors. The project, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has done the difficult diagnostic work, but the remedy requires a consistent, coordinated effort from every corner of society. From government policy to community-led initiatives, the mandate is straightforward: protect the benefits of our digital world while building protective barriers against the misinformation that threatens our survival. Peace is no longer just a physical act of dialogue; it is now a digital responsibility, demanding our attention, our caution, and our vigilance in every post and share.