Search for Common Ground (SFCG), in partnership with the Young Leaders Network (YNL), has concluded a three-day Social Media Listening Design Workshop for micro-influencers from Plateau, Bauchi, and Gombe States. The initiative falls under the Nigeria Youth Collective Action for Religious Engagement project, aimed at promoting digital peacebuilding and Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB).
Munira Askira, Project Manager for the initiative with Search for Common Ground, said the training was designed to build the capacity of youth influencers in tracking and responding to harmful online narratives. “This workshop was organized for micro-influencers to build their capacity in terms of how they can do social media listening and also make an analysis from that,” she stated. She added that participants were introduced to digital tools such as the Phoenix listening tool, Canva, and AI platforms to help them gather data, analyze trends, and create content that promotes peace and counters hate speech.
Facilitator Allan Cheboi, Data and Digital Technology Lead at Build Up, noted the urgent need for peace-oriented digital engagement. He explained that digital platforms are now being used to fuel conflict and violence, and influencers, due to their online reach play a key role in shaping conversations. Cheboi stressed that the workshop focused on teaching influencers how to fact-check, research, and identify online narratives. These skills, he said, are critical for creating informed content that challenges misinformation and promotes peaceful coexistence.
Fatima Danlami, Digital Peacebuilding Project Officer with Search for Common Ground, said the project aims to change the negative narrative surrounding youth and conflict. Instead of being seen as perpetrators, she said young people are being equipped as advocates for peace and defenders of FoRB. She highlighted that the initiative supports youth both online and offline by giving them the skills, confidence, and platforms to challenge hate speech and promote inclusion. The ultimate goal, she said, is to build communities that value respect and religious freedom.
Sefa Chia, Media Officer for Search for Common Ground, emphasized the importance of respecting individual beliefs. “We are not forcing any religion on anybody. You have the right to believe in whichever god you choose to believe in, and I have the right to respect,” he said, noting that the training helps influencers understand and promote this principle.
Kaura Joshua, a Project Officer on the Youth CARE Project, encouraged influencers to take advantage of the tools and knowledge shared during the workshop. He said they now have the capacity to create positive content that drives conversations around peace and tolerance in their communities. Participants expressed appreciation to the organizers, pledging to apply the skills they gained. They committed to using their platforms to counter hate speech and promote peaceful narratives, especially around religious freedom.
Sani Mubarak, an influencer from Plateau State, said the workshop reshaped his thinking and gave him practical skills in using the Phoenix tool, AI, and content creation. He described the experience as empowering and promised to use the knowledge daily to advocate for peace online.
From Bauchi, Shehu Abdullahi described the training as an eye-opener. He said he now feels confident using the Phoenix tool and plans to monitor online conversations in his community, offering balanced and peace-driven responses.
Peace Peter, a micro-influencer from Gombe, said the training made her more conscious of the power of words. She stressed that information shared online can either build or break peace and called for fairness in addressing wrongdoing, regardless of religion or belief.
