Kano Hosts the Seventh Social Influencers Conference

This week, I was in Kano for the Seventh social influencers summit. I have been a fan of this event and have attended all of them since it started in 2019. It is a great chance to catch up on the latest in technology, media, and social change. The digital age has changed how people interact, communicate, and handle daily life. One of the biggest changes is social media, which has reshaped social norms, behaviour, and interactions, especially among young people.

Social media platforms have changed how ideas, trends, and behaviours spread. At the core of these changes are “social influencers”, people who create content and have a large online presence that can influence what others see, think, or do. Earlier ideas about influence focused on mass media and celebrity endorsements. Now, peer-to-peer networks and algorithm-driven recommendations have made influencer roles more common and impactful.

This year's theme is about preparing citizens and using artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation for accountable governance. They discussed the nature, risks, and possible effects of AI. They also talked about what Nigeria should do to engage with AI, using AI for accountable governance, and developing digital rights. Shina Badru from Technology Times explained how our reality has changed. He talked about Nigeria in 2001 when only one company, NITEL, controlled all the fixed telephone lines and had a small number of wireless lines. Now, we have 197 million GSM lines and wider internet access that keeps growing and becoming faster. This shift has changed mass communication and personal interactions, and it has also changed how we produce things. We must use these changes to our advantage. The Nigeria of 2001 is gone, but we need to control what we can.

The top tech and AI companies are American. They lead the digital revolution and the new AI industry. Companies like Alphabet (Google), Microsoft, Meta (Facebook), and Amazon work with AI developers like OpenAI and Anthropic. They control big data globally and know a lot about us, including our political views, lifestyles, and locations. This has increased inequality, creating extreme wealth for a few while many suffer from poverty and declining incomes. Even Europe is facing protests as people feel ignored by a few powerful individuals, like Elon Musk, who believe that empathy is a mistake that must be removed for them to maintain control. As they gather trillions, they seem unaware that their families cannot spend that money in a thousand years. These new tech billionaires seem to have lost touch with reality.

The situation in Gaza shows how these companies work with the American military, using AI to destroy families and communities with different political views. The world might change because China is also advancing in technology and AI. Other medium-sized countries are starting to defend themselves through groups like BRICS. Nigeria is falling behind, as we sign agreements to give our data to the United States instead of protecting our information. This is a major challenge for us today.

Surrayya Al-Amin, a spoken word artist, said we need a clear approach to this scary world. We should stop tearing Nigeria apart and work to heal the divides. Halima Abubakar, another poet, urged Nigerians to speak for the voiceless and create a story that can help us use AI to build a better world for everyone. This starts with making sure all women and children have access to education. Dr Usman Bugaje reminded us of our rich African history. He mentioned the first three universities in the world: University of al-Qurawuyyin in Fez, Morocco (859 AD), Al-Azhar in Cairo, Egypt (970 AD), and the University of Sankore in Timbuktu (970 AD). All had broad curriculums, including theology and sciences, and were founded by women or in honour of women. These principles guide the host university, Khairun University in Kano. The university's Vice-Chancellor told attendees that inclusiveness is key, and 55% of their students get scholarships so that no one is left behind.

The appeal of social media is its ability to connect users across long distances. It provides a space where they can share experiences, ideas, and content instantly. For Nigerian youth, this connection is vital, linking them to both local and global communities. Sadly, social media has also led to a rise in fake news and hate speech. These issues are becoming more common, influencing elections and social dynamics. They create confusion and pain, pushing communities towards violence. Fake news and hate speech make real facts less effective in shaping public opinion. They trend and dictate news because they appeal to personal beliefs and emotions.

Hate speech and fake news have been around for a while, but their presence has grown significantly in the last decade, becoming more harmful in our society. This is due to major changes in technology and how we use social media. Mass communications used to be controlled through regulations. Strong penalties, political pressure, and financial consequences helped keep order and quality in mass media. In some cases, authoritarian regimes used their power to spread propaganda and hate, creating tighter control. But the situation has changed a lot today.

We live in a world where truth is often overshadowed by algorithms from tech companies. Social influencers help create this environment. It is a huge industry focused on surveillance, misinformation, and spreading lies, making tech companies very profitable. In this new world, communication mainly happens through small screens on our devices, and the audience is often made up of social media friends we don’t even know. People get deeply involved with these unknown friends, and certain narratives form based on shared ideas and values. As a result, values like truthfulness and respect are replaced by the number of people you can reach and the impact you have. This leads to a situation where feelings and opinions take precedence over understanding the truth.

The influence of social media is controlled by algorithms designed to personalize user experience and boost engagement. These algorithms decide what content users see and in what order. They can create “echo chambers” that limit exposure to different views. As AI develops and social media grows, the big challenge we face is how to benefit from its advantages while avoiding its risks.