Security consultant Kabiru Adamu has warned that many young Nigerians expressing support for recent military takeovers in Africa do not fully understand the harsh realities of life under military rule.
Adamu issued the caution on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he addressed the rising online support for coups in parts of West and Central Africa.
He noted that most Nigerians under the age of 30 have never lived through a military regime and may therefore have a distorted view of the consequences.
“For anyone below 30 years old, they may not have experienced that,” he said. “There’s nothing at the moment telling me that the Gen Z in Nigeria understands the consequences of a military dictatorship, because I see them supporting the dictatorship that is taking place in Burkina Faso and Mali. They see those military juntas as heroes.”
Adamu attributed the trend partly to social media narratives, warning that governments must pay closer attention to digital spaces where public opinion is being shaped.
He explained that coordinated disinformation campaigns have been portraying coup leaders as “superheroes,” a development he described as dangerous.
“The other consequence not always spoken about is what happens on social media. All of a sudden, you see disinformation and misinformation portraying these military leaders as superheroes,” he said.
“They then gain followership within countries where democracy still thrives, unfortunately, including Nigeria. So yes, it is disturbing.”