COVID-19 PANDEMIC, CONSPIRACY THEORY AND THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE

Abstract

No health crisis has hit the world and brought so much controversy like the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. At the heart of these controversies are conspiracy theories making the rounds on various traditional and social media platforms. To investigate the matter, the researcher embarked on a critical review entitled “COVID-19 Pandemic, Conspiracy Theory and the Nigerian Experience: A Critical Discourse.” The qualitative study which reviewed extant literature on the subject matter found that conspiracy theories among high profile religious leaders have significant consequences on the public such as vaccine hesitancy, risky health choices, slow responses to WHO recommendations for social distancing, face masking and regular hand washing and, has even led to violence and prejudice. The work recommended that both leaders and the led should scrutinise the type of information they share on critical issues while urging everyone to uphold what is true for the common good of all. It concludes that public figures who have a loud voice or are placed in privileged positions in the society and command a multitude of followers ought to influence their followers through responsible and authentic information-sharing which does not pose a threat to themselves or humanity in general.