A viral list naming human rights activist Aisha Yesufu as one of Nigeria’s latest national honour recipients caused a wave of controversy online over the weekend.
The document, which began circulating on Friday, June 14, claimed that Yesufu and 35 others had been awarded by President Bola Tinubu a claim that quickly caught fire on social media.
But just as quickly as the rumour spread, the Presidency stepped in to debunk it, calling the story “fake news” and warning the public not to fall for misinformation.
How the Story Gained Traction Online
The confusion began when a document listing 102 names started trending on social media platforms, with several users congratulating Aisha Yesufu and others for allegedly receiving national honours from the president. The document appeared credible to many, citing Leadership newspaper as the source. Within hours, blogs, X (formerly Twitter) accounts, and Facebook pages amplified the story, triggering mixed reactions from Nigerians.
Some citizens expressed surprise and even outrage at Yesufu’s inclusion, questioning why the Tinubu-led government would honour a known critic. Others welcomed what they believed to be a gesture of maturity and inclusiveness from the Presidency. The list spread faster than fact-checkers could respond, illustrating the power of social media in shaping public conversation, whether the information is accurate or not.
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Who is Aisha Yesufu?
Aisha Yesufu is no stranger to the spotlight. A co-founder of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign and a leading voice during the #EndSARS protests in 2020, she has built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most outspoken human rights activists. Her fiery commentaries, iconic protest stances, and unrelenting criticism of government policies have earned her praise from many Nigerians and criticism from others.
Her boldness and refusal to conform have made her a household name and a polarizing figure. While her supporters view her as the conscience of the nation, her critics accuse her of being unnecessarily antagonistic toward any sitting government.
So when news broke that she had supposedly been honoured by the Tinubu administration, it naturally stirred emotions across political divides.
Steps Taken by the Presidency to Dispel the Rumour
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, swiftly moved to correct the false narrative. In a direct Facebook post, he wrote:
“The story on a viral list of national honours featuring the name of Aisha Yesufu and others credited to the Leadership newspaper is fake news. It should be ignored.”
Ajayi clarified that President Tinubu announced only 66 names during his Democracy Day speech at the joint sitting of the National Assembly on June 13, not the 102 names in the viral document. According to him, no other names had been issued or published by the Presidency beyond those read out during the official event.
This clarification helped douse the online uproar, though the original list had already been shared thousands of times before being discredited.
Impacts of Fake News on Public Perception
Incidents like this highlight the growing threat of fake news in Nigeria’s media landscape. In a country where trust in institutions is already fragile, misinformation especially when politically charged can deepen divides and spread confusion.
This wasn’t just a case of a wrong name on a list; it was a moment of misinformation that led to an intense political commentary, with both supporters and opponents of the government using the false information to reinforce their narratives.
Beyond politics, it also reflects a worrying trend, how easily doctored documents and unverified stories can shape national discourse. In this case, the Presidency acted quickly. But the speed at which the story spread shows the need for improved media literacy and more responsive fact-checking.
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