Investigative journalist David Hundeyin has raised concerns over a U.S.-funded training program for 120 Nigerian journalists and social media influencers, alleging that it is aimed at promoting propaganda against Nigeria’s #EndBadGovernanceinNIGERIA protests.
In a statement shared on social media, Hundeyin claimed that the training, organized by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), is part of a broader strategy to push a narrative that the 2023 protests were driven by “malign influence” from Russia and China.
He described the program as an effort to astroturf Nigerian media with U.S. propaganda, warning that participants may unknowingly become tools in a foreign intelligence operation.
The training program is reportedly targeting journalists and influencers from key Nigerian cities, including Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Enugu.
According to Hundeyin, the participants will undergo training on foreign influence narratives before spending a year disseminating paid content to support the U.S. agenda in Nigeria.
He criticized the initiative, suggesting that the real “malign influence” in Nigeria might be the very entity funding the program.
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Hundeyin expressed concern that the journalists involved might not realize they are being recruited into a foreign intelligence operation, noting that accepting allowances and training from the U.S. could compromise their objectivity and independence.
In his public address, Hundeyin tagged Elon Musk and the Department of Governmental Oversight and Ethics (DOGE), urging them to scrutinize the use of U.S. taxpayers’ money in funding what he described as “wasteful foreign interference.”
He argued that the initiative contradicted the recent shutdown of USAID by Musk, which was intended to curb unnecessary and politically charged foreign engagements.
Hundeyin questioned why the U.S. would support a program that seemingly aims to manipulate Nigeria’s information space with pro-American narratives disguised under Nigerian names and faces.
The allegations, if proven true, could reignite debates over foreign influence in African media and the ethical implications of international funding for journalism.
Neither ICIR nor the U.S. government has responded to the allegations at the time of this report, leaving questions about the nature and objectives of the training program unanswered.
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