The Federal Government has been urged to prioritise grassroots-driven strategies in the fight against health misinformation, as experts warn that conventional communication methods are falling short in many Nigerian communities.
A PhD researcher in health communication at Purdue University, Adeola Mobolaji, made the call in a recent paper where he argued that top-down public health messaging often lacks resonance in rural and underserved areas.
Mobolaji noted that health misinformation in Nigeria is not simply the result of ignorance but rather a reflection of deeper systemic issues such as poverty, distrust in institutions, and limited access to healthcare.
“Health misinformation is not just about wrong facts; it’s about unmet needs and broken trust,” he said. “People aren’t necessarily ignorant; they’re responding to their realities, whether it’s the high cost of healthcare or limited access to hospitals.”
He advocated for a community-centred approach that places trusted local figures such as community health workers, religious leaders, and grassroots volunteers at the heart of public health communication.
According to Mobolaji, these individuals possess the cultural understanding and credibility needed to counter misinformation in ways that resonate with local populations.
“When a community leader says, ‘This vaccine is safe,’ it resonates far more than a television advert,” he said.
Evidence from states like Oyo, Kaduna, and Borno, he noted, shows that CHWs have been instrumental in driving maternal health campaigns and eradicating polio, owing to their proximity and emotional connection to the people.
Mobolaji also highlighted the effectiveness of local storytelling methods, including the use of indigenous-language radio shows, community theatre, and proverbs in delivering accurate health information.
“In the Niger Delta, call-in radio programmes have helped dispel myths around HIV/AIDS, while in northern Nigeria, dramatised skits have corrected misconceptions about vaccines,” he said.
He warned, however, that for such strategies to be effective and sustainable, they must be backed by institutional support. This includes increased investment by the government and international partners in CHW training, partnerships with grassroots NGOs, and policies that integrate community feedback into national health communication planning.
“The government and international health organisations must recognise that community voices are not secondary; they are central,” Mobolaji stressed.
He called for a shift from passive information campaigns to participatory engagement that treats communities as equal partners in health promotion.
“Nigeria’s health challenges are complex,” he concluded, “but to combat misinformation, we must begin to see communities not as targets of information but as trusted educators, advisors, and leaders.”
