Search Empower Micro-Influencers with Specialized Digital Skills to Promote Religious Freedom

Bauchi State - Northeast Nigeria.

As part of its effort to promote freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria, Search for Common Ground Nigeria, in collaboration with Build Up ^ -( howtobuildup) and Young Leaders Network (YLN), has successfully conducted a 2 - day activity bringing together 24 vibrant social media micro-influencers from Bauchi, Gombe, and Plateau states. The training is toward promoting freedom of religion and belief (FORB). This effort is part of the Nigeria Youth CARE (Collective Action for Religious Engagement) project, aiming to harness the power of digital spaces to foster peace and understanding among Nigeria's youth.

These micro-influencers, known for their strong online presence and engagement, were chosen across the three states for their potential to spread positive messages and promote religious freedom in their communities.

Building Skills for a Digital Age

The two-day training program was designed to equip these young influencers with the necessary skills to monitor, access, and analyze data from various online platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp, and websites. By mastering these skills, the influencers are expected to effectively promote messages of tolerance, understanding, and freedom of religion or belief.

During the training, participants learned how to leverage tools such as Crowd Tangle, Apify Phoenix by howtobuildup, Meltwater and Civic Signal to conduct activities such as; identifying and tracking posts related to religious freedom and belief, using credible sources to gather information and verify facts and analyzing social media trends and understand how information spreads and how to counter divisive narrative and misinformation online.

Search recognizes that these skills are crucial to meaningfully transforming conflicts considering today's peacebuilding dynamic due to the digital age. The project aims to create a ripple effect by empowering these influencers and encouraging more young people to advocate for religious freedom and peaceful coexistence.

Success and Impact

The training was a resounding success, with participants expressing their enthusiasm and commitment to the cause. They left the session feeling more confident and prepared to use their platforms for positive change.

One participant, Blessing Danladi Dodo from Plateau State shared, "This training has opened my eyes to the power I hold as a social media influencer. I now know how to use my platform to promote peace and understanding."

Another influencer, Rhoda Isah Kalla from Gombe State noted, "It's amazing to see how much we can do to support religious freedom. I am excited to apply what I've learned and make a difference in my community using these digital tools."

Looking Ahead

The Nigeria Youth CARE project is a vital part of Search for Common Ground’s broader digital peacebuilding efforts in Nigeria. By focusing on the youth, the project taps into the energy and potential of the upwardly mobile generation that is already deeply embedded in the digital space. The ultimate goal is to foster a culture of respect and acceptance for different religious beliefs, contributing to a more harmonious society.

As these micro-influencers return to their communities, they carry with them the tools and knowledge to advocate for freedom of religion or belief effectively. Their efforts will be supported by ongoing mentorship and resources from Search for Common Ground and Build Up, ensuring that the impact of this training continues to grow.

We will bring you more updates on this exciting journey and join us in supporting the cause of religious freedom and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.