Social Listening 11 February 2026

1. Trump’s Praise for First Lady Remi Tinubu Event Summary

At the 74th Annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., U.S. President Donald Trump publicly recognised Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, before an audience of political, religious, and civic leaders.

• Trump described her as a “very respected woman” and a Christian pastor connected with one of Nigeria’s largest churches.

• He paused his address to request that Mrs Tinubu stand for recognition, prompting public applause.

• His remarks emphasised faith leadership, moral authority, and religious influence.

Political and Diplomatic Context

The recognition occurred amid heightened U.S.–Nigeria diplomatic tensions, notably:

• Nigeria’s recent designation by the U.S. as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” over alleged persecution of Christians.

• Growing diplomatic engagement by Nigerian authorities, including strategic lobbying efforts in Washington, aims at reframing Nigeria’s security and religious coexistence narrative.

Nigerian Reactions

Supportive / Positive

• Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC) framed Trump’s remarks as a diplomatic gain and symbolic validation of Nigeria’s religious harmony.

• Supporters framed the moment as a source of national prestige, suggesting it counters negative global narratives about Nigeria.

Critical / Opposition

• Omoyele Sowore sharply criticised the praise, describing it as politically transactional and inconsistent with U.S. claims about religious persecution.

• Critics argued the gesture reflected political influence and lobbying, not genuine moral endorsement.

First Lady’s Response

• Senator Tinubu responded on social media, calling for greater civility and constructive engagement by Nigerians toward their leaders.

• Her message contrasted domestic hostility with international recognition, framing respect as a national value deficit.

2. U.S. Broadcaster Denies Platform Access to First Lady Remi Tinubu

Incident Overview

During the First Lady’s U.S. visit, U.S. broadcaster Tony Perkins stated publicly that he refused a request by her team to appear on his media platform.

• Perkins is the host of Washington Watch and the President of the Family Research Council.

• He stated he did not want his platform used to “cover up what they’re doing in Nigeria”, specifically referencing religious freedom and Christian persecution allegations.

Context of the Refusal

The refusal occurred during Mrs Tinubu’s visit to the National Prayer Breakfast (February 2026), a period marked by:

• Intensified U.S. scrutiny of Nigeria’s human rights and religious freedom record.

• Strong media and advocacy narratives framing Nigeria as failing to protect Christian communities.

Broader Diplomatic Context

U.S. Position

• In late 2025, the U.S. reclassified Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to alleged systemic religious violence. Nigerian Response

• The Tinubu administration reportedly engaged high-value U.S. lobbying firms to reshape its Washington image (figures cited at ~$9 million).

• The First Lady has previously dismissed claims of a Christian genocide as “propaganda.”

Interpretive Frame

Perkins’ refusal is being interpreted not as an isolated media decision, but as part of a broader ideological and diplomatic confrontation between U.S. religious advocacy groups and the Nigerian state narrative.

3. Current Nigerian Social Media & Internet Controversies

A. Trending & High-Impact Narratives

1. Scandal Economy in Entertainment

o Controversy is now a deliberate growth strategy for creators and celebrities.

o Online outrage functions as visibility capital in Nigeria’s attention economy.

2. Resurfaced “Genocide Brief” (INEC Chairman)

o A controversial document attributed to the INEC Chairman reignited digital debates tied to global identity politics and religious narratives.

3. “Who Is Tompolo?” Search Phenomenon

o Viral curiosity cycles show how platforms manufacture attention and transform local figures into algorithmic trends.

4. Creator Feuds & Official Pushback

o Influencers (e.g. Mandy Kiss) challenging authorities reflect a growing tension between digital culture and regulatory power.

B. Regulation, Censorship & Digital Freedom

Mass Account Takedowns (2025)

• Nigerian agencies (NITDA, NCC, NBC) reportedly shut down ~13.6 million accounts under new digital codes.

• Public discourse is split between:

o Digital safety framing

o Free speech suppression fears

Political Calls for Restrictions

• Political elites, including state governors, openly support tighter social media control, reinforcing censorship debates.

Meta vs Nigerian Regulators

• Heavy fines and compliance battles triggered threats by Meta to exit Nigeria.

• Sparked discourse on digital sovereignty and the need for indigenous platforms.

C. Legal & Ethical Digital Flashpoints

• Naira Abuse Prosecutions → influencers charged for currency defacement online.

• Free Speech Cases → campaigns like #FreeDeleFarotimiNow highlight tensions between law, dissent, and digital expression.

D. Culture, Community & Platform Debates

Online Safety

• ~68.9 million Nigerian users reportedly affected by cyberbullying, harassment, or abuse.

• Major concern among civil society, parents, and policy groups.

Platform Culture Debates

• Reddit and social platforms host intense discourse on:

o Sexualisation of content

o Identity representation

o Digital stereotypes

o Nigerian online behavioural norms

Platform Alternatives

• Interest in Nigerian-focused platforms (e.g. Quibbles) reflects dissatisfaction with global networks and desire for community-owned digital spaces.

Structural Issues Dominating Digital Discourse

Telecoms & Access

• High tariffs + poor service quality

• MTN/Airtel near-duopoly → affordability concerns

• Digital exclusion narratives intensifying

Banking & USSD Charges

• Fears that new fees will undermine financial inclusion, especially for basic phone users.

Elections & Information Integrity

• Electoral Act reviews ongoing

• No dedicated 2026 national budget for fake-news management

• Rising pre-election misinformation risk

Media Trust Collapse

• Trust in news, ads, and platforms declining sharply

• Brands pressured to remain politically neutral

Looking Ahead: The 2027 Election Factor

Nigeria’s digital ecosystem is entering a pre-election volatility phase:

• AI-driven misinformation (deepfakes, synthetic media) expected to rise.

• Spread will increasingly occur via encrypted platforms (WhatsApp, Telegram).

• State preparedness is weak:

o No national public education programme

o No misinformation-response budget line

• Public trust deficit is structural, not cyclical:

o Surveys show ~28% decline in trust in advertising

o Similar drops in news trust across TV, radio, and digital platforms

5. Senator Adams Oshiomhole: “Double Speak” Controversy

Incident Summary

A viral video shows Senator Adams Oshiomhole massaging a woman’s feet on a private jet.

• Oshiomhole dismissed it as “AI-generated.”

• The woman involved publicly contradicted him.

Identity of the Woman

She has been identified as Leshaan Dagama, a South African lifestyle influencer and adult content creator who describes herself online as a “professional sugar baby.”

• She directly denied the AI claim, posting:

“Video wasn’t AI — but okay, believe your senator.”

Authenticity Dispute

Oshiomhole’s Position

• Claims the video is a fabricated deepfake

• Frames it as cyberbullying and blackmail

• Uses it to advocate for stronger social media regulation

Counter-Narrative

• Independent fact-checkers report:

o No clear deepfake markers

o Natural lighting, motion continuity, and metadata consistency

• No forensic proof of AI manipulation has been released publicly

Public Reaction

• Strong backlash over elite optics:

o Private jet lifestyle vs public economic hardship

• Parallel concern about AI misinformation risks

• Debate splits between:

o Accountability discourse

o Digital manipulation anxiety

Understanding the “Double Speak” Accusation

The controversy is structurally defined by two irreconcilable narratives:

Narrative A (Official)

Narrative B (Personal)

Video is AI-generated

Video is authentic

Political sabotage

Personal confirmation

Regulatory justification

Credibility challenge

This contradiction is the core of the “double speak” framing.

Verification Status (as of 9 Feb 2026)

• ❌ No independent forensic confirmation of a deepfake

• ❌ No official investigation results

• ❌ No technical report published

• ❌ No legal action filed

Strategic Indicators to Watch

• Release of forensic analysis

• Civil or criminal litigation

• Platform takedown requests

• Independent verification efforts

Analytical Conclusion:

The controversy is not only reputational—it is symbolic of Nigeria’s broader crisis of digital trust, evidence credibility, and narrative authority in the AI era.

Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole CON (born 4 April 1952) is a Nigerian politician who has served as the senator representing the Edo North senatorial district since 2023. He is a former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress.

Socio-Political

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