Journal of Christian Religious Studies

Religion plays a central role in Nigerian public life, while social media has transformed the production, circulation, and reception of religious information. This study examines how religious misinformation disseminated through digital platforms creates security implications in Nigeria. It aims to analyse the relationship between religion, misinformation, and social media; identify pathways through which religious misinformation contributes to insecurity; and assess practical strategies for mitigating its effects. The study adopts a qualitative research design based on secondary sources, including peer-reviewed journal articles, institutional reports, policy documents, and reputable news reports. Data were collected through documentary research and analysed thematically following Braun and Clarke’s approach. Findings indicate that religious misinformation can intensify interreligious conflict, facilitate radicalisation and extremist mobilisation, erode public trust, generate panic and social disorder, and weaken national unity and social cohesion. The study is significant because it demonstrates that misinformation becomes a security concern when it interacts with religious identity, existing grievances, institutional distrust, and rapid digital communication. It recommends stronger digital literacy, responsible religious communication, coordinated fact-checking and rapid-response mechanisms, and integration of misinformation monitoring into security and peacebuilding frameworks. The study concludes that religious misinformation should be treated as a significant component of Nigeria’s contemporary security environment.

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