UNILAG Professor Warns Health Misinformation Outpacing Truth in Nigeria

Health misinformation is spreading rapidly across Nigeria, posing significant public health risks, according to a prominent communication scholar at the University of Lagos.

Professor Ifeoma Amobi, an expert in digital and health communication, warns that false health information “often spreads faster than verified information across social media platforms, messaging apps like WhatsApp, and, at times, even traditional media.”

In an interview with Education Monitor, Professor Amobi detailed her research into what she terms an “information disordered media landscape,” highlighting how misinformation undermines public health initiatives and endangers lives across the country.

Conspiracy theories about vaccines represent one of the most concerning categories of health misinformation in Nigeria. Professor Amobi notes that these include unfounded claims that vaccines “are designed by Western powers to cause infertility, control African populations, alter human genetics, or are linked to apocalyptic narratives like the ‘antichrist’ or ‘666’.”

Such narratives have contributed to vaccine hesitancy in a country where preventable diseases continue to pose significant public health challenges. Nigeria was one of the last countries globally to eradicate wild poliovirus, with misinformation playing a substantial role in hampering vaccination campaigns.

During disease outbreaks, the spread of false information becomes particularly dangerous. Professor Amobi points out that unverified “miracle cures” frequently circulate, while diseases are often misidentified, leading people to pursue ineffective or potentially harmful treatments rather than seeking proper medical care.

Cultural beliefs also play a significant role in perpetuating health misinformation. Mental health issues face particular stigma, with psychological conditions “frequently attributed to spiritual causes rather than understood as treatable medical conditions,” according to Professor Amobi. This misconception often leads individuals to “prioritise prayer over professional care,” delaying necessary treatment and worsening outcomes.

Pregnancy and maternal health are similarly affected by entrenched myths. The professor highlighted beliefs such as “eating eggs during pregnancy leads to oversized babies” or that “pregnancies should be concealed to avoid spiritual harm.” These cultural notions can result in delayed or inadequate antenatal care, contributing to Nigeria’s persistently high maternal mortality rates.

Traditional medicine presents another complex challenge. “The widespread assumption that all herbal remedies (‘agbo’) are inherently safe” can lead to dangerous practices, Professor Amobi explains. Similarly, misconceptions about pharmaceutical treatments, such as the belief that “injections are always more effective than tablets,” contribute to drug misuse and antimicrobial resistance—a growing global health threat with particular implications for resource-limited healthcare systems.

The consequences of these information patterns extend beyond individual health decisions to impact broader public health initiatives. “These patterns of misinformation have significant consequences, including vaccine hesitancy, outright rejection of life-saving interventions, and the adoption of dangerous, unproven treatments,” Professor Amobi warned.

Addressing Nigeria’s health misinformation crisis requires urgent, coordinated action, according to the scholar. While acknowledging that perfect information integrity remains aspirational, she emphasizes that “Nigeria must urgently prioritise the development of a safe, open, and trustworthy information ecosystem to support public health.”

The professor advocates for a comprehensive approach involving multiple stakeholders—including government agencies, media organizations, health professionals, technology platforms, and civil society groups—to combat what she terms “infotamination” and promote healthier behavioral outcomes.

As Nigeria continues to face numerous public health challenges, from infectious disease outbreaks to rising rates of non-communicable diseases, establishing reliable channels for health information has never been more critical. The battle against health misinformation represents a crucial front in the country’s broader efforts to improve health outcomes and build a more resilient healthcare system.