Colonial Logics in the Mobilization Mechanics of Climate Disinformation

The study argues that climate disinformation in the Global South is not a digital accident but a reactivation of 'colonial logics of mediated authority.' By analyzing 200 social media posts and socio-cultural indices across eleven former British colonies in Africa, the author develops a 'Model of Indirect Epistemic Domination.' This model posits that disinformation achieves legitimacy by using trusted intermediaries—such as religious leaders and social media influencers—to frame climate falsehoods as indigenous truths. Statistical analysis reveals that religiosity and media access are the strongest predictors of susceptibility to climate disinformation, while formal education and trust in science do not provide significant protection.

• Climate disinformation in Africa is driven by a 'Model of Indirect Epistemic Domination' consisting of five interlocking stages: recruitment, localization, deflection, normalization, and exploitation. This process mirrors British indirect rule by using local intermediaries to legitimize external agendas.
• Religiosity is the most significant cultural amplifier of climate disinformation susceptibility, showing a very strong positive correlation (r ≈ 0.83) and remaining a statistically significant predictor in regression modeling (β = 0.158, p = 0.014).
• Increased media access functions as a 'double-edged vector' that heightens susceptibility to disinformation (β = 0.548, p = 0.014) when not accompanied by critical literacy safeguards, as seen in Kenya and Ghana.
• Formal education and trust in science do not serve as statistically significant predictors of resilience against climate disinformation in the sampled contexts.
• Disinformation narratives cluster into specific symbolic repertoires: spiritual frames (e.g., 'God’s punishment') are dominant in Nigeria and Uganda, while conspiratorial and anti-Western frames (e.g., 'UN climate scam') are more prominent in Kenya and Ghana.
• The use of indigenous languages is identified as the most influential factor in the 'Disinformation Outcomes' dimension, as it provides cultural authentication that intensifies the persuasive force of the messages.

APA

Essien, E. O. (2025). Colonial Logics in the Mobilization Mechanics of Climate Disinformation. Roots. https://poweredbyroots.org/media/pages/highlights/fellowship-for-countering-disinformation/9888df3fdb-1762906576/nigeria-case-study.docx.pdf

Chicago

Essien, Essien Oku. Colonial Logics in the Mobilization Mechanics of Climate Disinformation. Roots, 2025. https://poweredbyroots.org/media/pages/highlights/fellowship-for-countering-disinformation/9888df3fdb-1762906576/nigeria-case-study.docx.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Essien |first1=Essien Oku |title=Colonial Logics in the Mobilization Mechanics of Climate Disinformation |publisher=Roots |date=November 2025 |url=https://poweredbyroots.org/media/pages/highlights/fellowship-for-countering-disinformation/9888df3fdb-1762906576/nigeria-case-study.docx.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{essien2025colonial, author = {Essien, Essien Oku}, title = {{Colonial Logics in the Mobilization Mechanics of Climate Disinformation}}, institution = {Roots}, year = {2025}, month = nov, url = {https://poweredbyroots.org/media/pages/highlights/fellowship-for-countering-disinformation/9888df3fdb-1762906576/nigeria-case-study.docx.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }