Information Disorder, Education and National Security: A Sociological and Statistical Analysis of Fake News and Social Cohesion in Nigeria

Abstract

Information disorder has become an important social and security concern as digital platforms increasingly shape how citizens obtain, interpret and circulate information. This paper examines the relationship between information disorder, education, social cohesion and national security in Nigeria, drawing on sociological perspectives and statistical evidence. The paper develops from a presentation of the same title delivered in January 2024 and is subsequently expanded with more recent empirical evidence. Information disorder is conceptualised as encompassing misinformation, disinformation and malinformation, while education is understood not only as formal schooling but also as media and information literacy, critical reasoning and digital competence. The study adopts a quantitative secondary-data design, using descriptive statistics and identifying appropriate bivariate and multivariate techniques for compatible microdata. Evidence is drawn from published studies, national education statistics, digital-news surveys and African social-cohesion data. Findings indicate that digital platforms have become significant channels of information consumption, while information-literacy capacity remains important to users' vulnerability to fake-news sharing. The paper argues that education can constitute an important preventive capability for strengthening information resilience, social cohesion and national security. It recommends institutionalising media and information literacy, improving statistical monitoring of information disorder, strengthening social cohesion and integrating information resilience into preventive national-security policy.