EXPOSED: HOW U. S Embassy Sponsored ICIR To Train 120 Journalist To Blame #EndBadGovernance Protests On Foreigners
The United States Embassy in Nigeria is allegedly funding a controversial training programme designed to shift the narrative surrounding last year’ s #EndBadGovernance protests.
The initiative, led by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), aims to train 120 journalists, social media influencers, and civic actors from Nigeria’ s six geopolitical zones.
However, new evidence suggests the true purpose of the programme is to promote propaganda that attributes the protests— driven by inflation and insecurity— to foreign interference.
The programme, titled ” Countering AI- Enhanced Malign Influence in Nigeria, ” was recently exposed by investigative journalist David Hundeyin, Editor- in- Chief of West Africa Weekly.
Hundeyin revealed that the U. S. – backed training is structured to push narratives portraying the #EndBadGovernance protests as the result of Russian and/or Chinese influence rather than genuine grievances from Nigerian citizens.
Following the exposure, the ICIR swiftly disabled links to the call for applications and the list of shortlisted candidates. However, before the information was removed, West Africa Weekly managed to obtain copies of the documents, confirming the project’ s true intent.
The revelation has fuelled widespread criticism of Western involvement in Nigerian and African media, with many questioning the extent of foreign influence in shaping local narratives.
The ICIR receives funding from several Western organisations, including:
The U. S. Embassy in Abuja
The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSFOWA), founded by billionaire George Soros
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), widely regarded as a front for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
These organisations have long been accused of interfering in political affairs under the guise of promoting democracy and press freedom.
This development comes at a time when Donald Trump’ s second administration is scaling back foreign aid while reports have emerged that USAID has been funding terror groups and civil society organisations to facilitate regime change worldwide. The Nigerian government and civil society groups have yet to respond officially, but public backlash is growing.
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According to Cornell University, ” malign influence” refers to: ” Hostile efforts by foreign entities to affect another country’ s political, military, or economic policies, often through covert or deceptive means. This can include disinformation, propaganda, or coercive actions to manipulate public opinion or influence democratic processes. ”
With this definition in mind, critics argue that the U. S. is guilty of the very tactics it claims to counter in Nigeria.
On social media, Nigerians are questioning whether local media organisations are truly independent or if they serve foreign interests. Many fear that such programmes undermine democracy rather than strengthen it, as they attempt to rewrite history and discredit genuine citizen- led protests.
