Thesis
Boko Haram messaging, government’s counter-messaging and strategic communication
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2026
- Thesis identifier
- T18217
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 202254567
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- Since 2002, Boko Haram, a jihadist group led by the fervent Islamic leader Mohammed Yusuf, has relentlessly waged a war of attrition against the Nigerian state. The alarming reports surrounding the death of the sect’s leader, highlighted by Mike Hanna of Al Jazeera, may have further emboldened BH, fuelling a full-scale insurgency characterised by the strategic exploitation of media as a weapon of mass destruction against the West African nation for over two decades. Recognising critical gaps in empirical, conceptual, and primary research on StratCom, this research undertakes an in-depth investigation into the messaging tactics employed by the terrorists, as well as the government's counter-messaging efforts. What sets this research apart is its innovative approach, which looks at Direct Messaging and Indirect Messaging Techniques within theoretical frameworks. Through Multimodal Analysis’s Visual Verbal Video, and Critical Discourse Analysis, this study examines sixty YouTube videos published by local and international media from 2010 to 2025. The findings indicate that insurgents utilize an effective communication strategy that encompasses four key approaches: covert, symbolic, human, and social media channels. In addition to advocating for "whole-of-government" and "whole-of-society" strategies, this research calls for the implementation of an Afro-multidimensional StratCom approach. This framework aims not only to challenge the government’s kinetic tactics but also to address the pressing needs of IDPs and refugees in the Lake Chad Basin region. Moreover, it seeks to benefit the Nigerian democratic government, its citizens, the leaders of the African Union, and the international community in their collective efforts to combat this ongoing crisis. In conclusion, the study emphasises that a strategic combination of both soft and hard power is crucial for mitigating the escalating conflicts in Nigeria and beyond. Shifting approach and investing in understanding effective local communication strategies can pave the way for lasting peace and stability in the region.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Higgins, Michael
- Sudduth, Jun
- Rathnayake, Chamil
- Resource Type
- DOI
Relations
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