By: Ojay Matthew
Security analyst Kabiru Adamu has cautioned that a significant number of young Nigerians showing support for recent military takeovers in Africa do not fully grasp the harsh implications of life under military rule.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s *Politics Today* on Friday, Adamu explained that Nigerians under the age of 30 have no lived experience of military dictatorship and may therefore hold a romanticised or inaccurate perception of military regimes.
“For anyone below 30, they may not have witnessed military rule firsthand,” he said. “There is nothing to suggest that Nigerian Gen Zs understand the consequences of military dictatorship. Many of them openly support the juntas in Burkina Faso and Mali, viewing those leaders as heroes.”
Adamu attributed this growing sentiment to narratives circulating on social media, warning that disinformation campaigns are painting coup leaders in a favourable light and influencing public opinion, especially among youths.
He stressed that governments, including Nigeria’s, should pay closer attention to online conversations shaping political attitudes.
“One major concern is what happens on social media, where misinformation suddenly portrays military leaders as superheroes,” he noted. “They begin to attract followership in countries where democracy is still functioning, including Nigeria. That is deeply worrying.”
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