Hate Speech and Fake News in Nigeria

Abstract

The research problem centres on how hate speech and fake news mutually reinforce one another to erode social cohesion and democratic stability in Nigeria, while scholarly understanding of their interaction remains fragmented and poorly supported by empirical data. The study’s objective is to systematically review and synthesise existing scholarship to map dominant explanations, compare methodological approaches, and identify critical knowledge gaps. Methodologically, a qualitative systematic literature review was conducted, thematically analysing 45 peer-reviewed articles, policy documents, and institutional reports published between 2015 and 2024. The theoretical framework draws on Social Responsibility Theory, Technological Determinism, and Conflict Theory to analyse how historical ethno-religious divisions, algorithmic platform architectures, and political manipulation collectively fuel harmful content. Key findings reveal that Nigerian scholarship treats hate speech and fake news largely in isolation, lacks empirical audience-reception studies, and relies heavily on a narrow set of authors. The literature further exposes a tension between legislative deterrence and media literacy interventions, as well as weak and fragmented regulatory responses. The study concludes that an effective counter-strategy must balance precise legal sanctions with robust media literacy programmes, enforceable platform accountability, and community-driven counter-speech, all tailored to Nigeria’s socio-political context and aligned with international human rights standards.