Key Points
- Kabiru Adamu warns many under 30 praise recent coups. He says they lack memory of military rule.
- Online posts frame junta leaders as saviours and heroes. This view spreads fast on social media platforms.
- He urges leaders to counter false narratives online. Governments must watch youth conversations and act swiftly.
A security consultant, Kabiru Adamu, warned young Nigerians on Friday that many do not grasp life under military rule. He told Politics Today that people under thirty may glamorise recent African coups without real knowledge.
Adamu said online praise for juntas is growing and named recent regional events as examples. He pointed to regional upheavals such as the Goodluck Jonathan trapped in Guinea-Bissau incident to show how coups disrupt lives and travel.
The analyst said social media now helps spread simple hero stories about coup leaders. He added that short praise posts omit the cost to civilians, services and courts.
Adamu explained why history matters for public view and political choices. He said those who lived dictatorships remember curfews, closed courts and fear that lasts.
He warned that disinformation paints military rule as quick fixes for corruption and crime. He said these false narratives ignore long-term harm to schools, health and jobs.
The expert urged politicians and civil society to join media literacy efforts now. He called for clear public education aimed at young voters and online users.
Adamu also asked platforms to slow the spread of harmful claims and false praise. He said firms must flag misleading posts and give users verified context.
The consultant recommended that schools add recent civic history into youth programmes. He said teaching recent memory helps young people judge political claims better.
Adamu stressed state actors must counter myths without heavy hand or censorship. He said measured responses keep debate healthy while cutting the reach of outright lies.
Public debate on coups has moved beyond borders and now affects Nigerian discourse. Observers say national leaders should track online trends to prevent dangerous enthusiasms.
He closed by urging calm public talk and steady civic education across Nigeria. He said honest history and clear facts will help steer youth away from risky nostalgia
