… 5.8 Million YouTube Views Linked To Pro-Kremlin Campaigns
…Experts Call For Urgent Cybersecurity Awareness,Regulation
Nigeria may be sliding into the frontline of global digital disinformation, as new findings reveal that foreign actors are increasingly outsourcing propaganda operations to local digital workers.
A recent investigation by memeticwarfare.io uncovered a pro-Russian YouTube network allegedly operated by Nigerians.The five identified channels—@Peace-Crusader, @conflictcompas, @GloryinCombat, @DaddyMaxwell77, and @freshinfoinsight—had amassed over 37,400 subscribers and 5.8 million views as of August 30, 2025.
The report shows that the channels amplify Kremlin-backed narratives, recycling content from American commentators Scott Ritter and Douglas Macgregor, both familiar faces on Russian state media.
Investigators noted identical biographies, repetitive video titles, and AI-generated anchors, all pointing to a coordinated operation.
Max Lesser, Senior Analyst on Emerging Threats at memeticwarfare.io, confirmed that the channels were operated by a small group in Nigeria. However, he noted there was no conclusive evidence of direct Russian funding.
Analysts say Nigeria’s youth-driven digital economy, rising internet penetration, and hustle culture provide fertile ground for such schemes. With easy access to platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Telegram, Nigerian freelancers can be hired to create videos, manage accounts, or write scripts—often without knowing the larger propaganda agenda.
UK-based cybersecurity expert Olatunde Olasehan warned that the same accessibility that enables young Nigerians to monetise content is also opening doors for exploitation.
“YouTube has become a tool for foreign influence operations. Nigeria risks becoming a launchpad for information warfare disguised as grassroots African content,” he said.
The report linked the campaigns to Moscow’s broader Africa strategy, which includes the launch of AFree, a Russian-backed “African alternative” to Western social platforms. The app debuted in Lagos in 2024 with targeted adverts promoting Russia as a “natural ally” of Africa.
“This is not about instant brainwashing,” explained Nigerian tech analyst Joseph Adeyemi. “It’s about a gradual shift in perception—painting Russia as reliable while casting the West as manipulative.”
Adeyemi said the use of AI-driven content farms, synthetic voiceovers, and cultural cues makes disinformation more believable, harder to detect, and easier to share.
Investigators also found that financial incentives may be drawing Nigerians into the campaigns. Many digital workers earn through YouTube monetisation, PayPal, or cryptocurrency wallets, creating opportunities for propaganda actors to mask operations as freelance gigs.
“With unemployment so high, digital hustling has become survival,” Olasehan added. “That makes Nigeria attractive as a global outsourcing hub for both legitimate and malicious content.”
Source : Leadership
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
