CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

News framing is “the way media houses use mind-controlling techniques to gain readership and

viewership by providing what appears to be new but intricately woven to control the thought

process and opinions of viewers” (Essays UK, 2018, Para. 3) A media frame may be described as

a likeness or an already constructed image or the portrayal of someone or a subject matter in a

way that shapes the view and opinion of the audience on that person or issue which in most cases

is built through audience exposure to media content. A pattern in which the media shape

perceptions of important events is usually through a concept known as ‘framing’. This essentially

implies that the study and analysis of news content is paramount to understanding the pattern and

methods news media adopts in framing news stories. In simple terms, the concept of framing

focuses on the perspective or viewpoint from which a news story is told. While news stories

reported by the media are meant to be unbiased and objective in nature, reverse is usually the

case. Truth be told, news reports are not an accurate portrayal of the real world but instead a

remaking of different sectors from a journalistic point of view. This is not essentially saying that

news reporters and the media lie or intentionally twist news stories, but that the news media by

reporting specific news stories, using specific sources from specific news points build reality

through a selective process which in turn shapes the perception of audience and viewers.

Hallahan (1999:207 para) opined that news frames are journalistic tools employed by the media

in reporting news stories. He metaphorically interpreted framing as a “window or portrait frame

drawn around information that delimits the subject matter and thus, focuses attention on key

1
elements within”. Lippman (quoted in Papacharissi & Oliveira, 2008:52) explains that the news

has the responsibility of providing a “pseudo-environment” in which the audience relies on in

order to create a mental picture of and comprehend events that they directly cannot experience.

He further explained that news framing is critical in the reportage of these events as they indicate

a process of recurring selection and emphasis in communicating perceived reality, thus framing

in the media is important in the study of news selection and interpretation.

The way the mass media provides a representation of social issues has a very subtle yet

noteworthy effect on the viewers, listeners and public at large. The power of media interpretation

explains media control and influence over audiences through media channels. They control,

shape and channel audience interpretations through the use of pictures, videos, text, font, style,

tone, and positioning of content. This goes a long way in providing different meanings in the

media’s heterogeneous audience.

The mass media has been proved to be very effective and efficient in creating general awareness

on societal issues to assist members of the society in identifying these issues and finding ways to

confront them. Such interpretations are disseminated through the media such as TV, radio,

magazines, newspapers etc. This is due to the fact that the media serves as an influential agent in

the determination of peoples activities, and this influence cuts across various sectors such as

politics, finance, health, agriculture, security etc.

While the theory of agenda setting and the gate keeping function of the media “decides what a

newspaper covers or does not cover, the frame is the overarching angle of how the various

stories are treated once they are covered” (Critical Media Review, 2015, Para. 2). Just like

agenda setting the concept of framing or portrayal is an ideological act.

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The mass communication channels irrespective of the medium play focal roles as the fourth

estate of the realm in delivering communication messages birthed from everyday events in the

society. The audiences on the other hand being the receiver of these messages try to make

meaning and sense out of the message. It is crucial to know that the media deliver messages from

real stories, events and issues and as a result of this contribute greatly to how the audiences

perceive the realities of these messages. The media has played a role in representing and

depicting Muslims and Northerners in a negative light by employing frameworks mainly centred

on violence and terrorism.

Fisher (2017) in his work stated that, “as attacks against Muslims have risen, many have been

labelled something other than terrorism. For Muslim victims, this seemed to confirm suspicions

that society sees them as potential threats more readily than as fellow citizens to be protected”

(Para 4). In fact, many authors and scholars in their work have out rightly labelled Muslims and

Northerners as the perpetrators of every terrorist attack and many argue that the media

contributes to this by reporting a large percentage of terrorist attacks related to Muslim

perpetrators. For instance Ranstorp(1996), in his work said ‘the Islamist movements and their

respective armed terrorist wings’, implying that every Islamist group or association naturally has

a ‘terrorist wing’.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Frames shape the way people view things. Just like labels on outfits define the value the buyer

places on it, media frames on various issues and individuals determine the public’s discourse as

well as opinion. The various methods used by the media to relay societal happenings and events

strongly influence the tendency of audiences to perceive reality according to how they are

3
portrayed. Media reportage of terrorism stories are important because these stories signal danger

for audiences, however, the way in which these stories on terrorism are treated require closer

examination. Portrayal of Boko Haram by the media has warped the perception of Nigerians on

the actual realities of the group. The public’s viewpoint on terrorism in the country is directly

affected by media contents. This is because the influence of the media is flooding the opinions of

the society; carrying both positive both mostly negative connotations of Boko Haram and

Nigerians from the Northeast. As a result of these portrayals, audiences make hasty

generalizations that have led to the development of stereotypes around people in the Northeast

Therefore, it is highly essential to conduct a study of this nature and type to ascertain the

implications of the mass media’s portrayal of the Northern terrorist group on building

relationships with other Nigerians.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objectives of this study include:

1) To examine the implications of the media representation on audience perception of North

easterners.

2) To examine the implication of media representation of Boko Haram on future

relationship between the Northeast and other geopolitical zones in Nigeria

3) To find out the influence of media representation of Boko Haram on audience perception

of North easterners.

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1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1) What are the implications of media portrayal on audience perception of North easterners?

2) What are the implications of media portrayal of Boko Haram on future relationship

between the Northeast and other geopolitical zones in Nigeria?

3) What is the influence of media portrayal of Boko Haram on audience perception of North

easterners?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This research will be relevant in helping Nigerians from other Geopolitical zones in creating a

different perspective of North easterners by bringing to light the role of the media in influencing

their perspective and the implications. The study would prompt media regulatory bodies in

ensuring thorough supervision and regulation of news media messages before they are

disseminated to prevent the media from reporting news stories that would portray the Northeast

in a negative light. It will also be relevant in ensuring news media organizations carefully draft

news messages in order to reflect an objective journalistic point of view.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study covers 5 of the geopolitical zones in Nigeria, North West, North Central, South South,

South East, and South West. The states selected within these Geopolitical zones include Edo

state representing the South South, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja representing the North

Central, Kano state, representing the North West, Enugu representing the South East and Lagos

5
State representing the South West region. This selection is appropriate because these states are

developed cosmopolitan states with a large population according to the 2006 census. Some of the

attributes of a cosmopolitan states are civility, a reasonable high quality and standard of living, a

diversified economy, as well as cultural diversity amongst its population.

1.7 LIMITATIONS TO THE STUDY

This study was greatly limited due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic respondents in

Nigeria. The lockdown prevented the researcher from getting effective answers from the, as most

respondents were scared of contracting the deadly respiratory virus. Administration of the

questionnaire was suspended as a result of the compulsory lockdown announced by the Federal

government in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.

1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following terms are defined theoretically and conceptually. The purpose is to provide
accurate clarification and better understanding of the context with in which they are used in this
study.

BOKO HARAM: An Islamic sect based in the Northeastern part of Nigeria. The word Boko
Haram means ‘Western education is forbidden’.

AUDIENCE PERCEPTION: This refers to the understanding, view and interpretation of

information or an issue usually through the influence of the mass media

MEDIA PORTRAYAL: It is simply how the mass media through channels such as books,
newspapers, television etc describes, paints or frames a person, an organization, a people or an
issue.

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PERCEPTION: Refers to the way a person regards, understands and interprets something,
usually information.

MASS MEDIA: this refers to the primary communication channels through which a sender
sends a message to a large audience. Some of these media channels include- television, radio,
newspapers, books, etc.

NORTHEAST: this is the North eastern part of a country, city, or town in Nigeria.

IMPLICATION: this is simply the consequence (s), repercussion or effects of something.

FUTURE RELATIONSHIPS: the likeliness of two or more persons to be connected in the near
future.

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 CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 INTRODUCTION

One of the significant yet remarkable changes in the 21st century today is the way is the way the

mass media shapes opinions as well as social behaviour of the audience through media

portrayal. In this vast technologically driven global village, the radio, television, newspaper,

magazines, film etc have assumed roles in our everyday lives. There is no debate that the mass

media plays a huge role in our daily lives and greatly impacts our choices, belief system and

behavioural pattern.

This chapter reviews various published works of scholars on the implication of mass media

portrayal of Boko Haram especially as it affects relationship building between the Northeast and

other geopolitical zones in Nigeria. It also sheds light on some of the tags the media uses in

portraying the Boko Haram sect. This chapter also examines theories that shed light on the

subject matter. In order to critically examine the issues related to the portrayal of Boko Haram by

the media especially as it affects relationship building between the Northeast and other

geopolitical zones, this chapter would discuss the following:

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 1. The history of Boko Haram in Nigeria

2. Boko Haram and the media

3. The implications of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria

2.2 THE REVIEW

2.2.1 THE HISTORY OF BOKO HARAM IN NIGERIA

After the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914, the Southern part of the country was mainly animist

while the North at that time was largely Muslim with only minority as pagans. However, these

ancient beliefs were planted by the Christian faith in the southern protectorate. The differences

came with religious conflicts in the country. The first religious crisis recorded in the country was

in Kano state in the year 1953 and another in the 1980’s which was as a result of the death of one

Mohammed Marwa. What led to more religious tension in the country especially the Christian

community after these events was the enrolment of Nigeria in the Organisation of Islamic

Countries (OIC) in that same decade.

Soon after Nigeria became a democratic state in 1999, the Sharia law was instituted in Zamfara

state. Other Islamic states in the country followed the footstep of Zamfara. This development

brought about unrest and triggered clashes between Christians and Muslims which has continued

till date. “More religious clashes were soon recorded such as the the Zagon-Kataf riot in 1992,

the Jos riot in 2002 and 2008 and ultimately the Boko Haram insurgence that has gone unabated

since 2009” (Ngozi, 2015).

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 According to Murdata (2013), the original name for the sect is Jama’atu AhlisSunna
Lidda’awatiwal-Jihad which means ‘The congregation of the people of tradition for
Proselytism and Jihad”. The sect was founded by Late Muhammad Yusuf in 2001 in
Maiduguri, Borno state. It was at that time residents of the troubled states adopted the
name “Boko Haram” to describe the sect. the word Boko Haram means Western
education is forbidden. There is suspicion among Nigerians about the original motive and
identity of the sect. a few see it as a subset of the Maitatsine sect which gained popularity
in 1945 to transport turmoil to Islam as it was confirmed that Maitatsine was not a
Muslim until his death. Others, especially Christians believe it is an attempt to Islamize
Nigeria while some remain indifferent on their standing (Shehu, 2014).
The group’s originator, Mohammed Yusuf established a complex institution which included a

mosque and school where a lot of Nigerians and persons from neighbouring countries,

particularly poor families enrolled their children. The group includes members that come from

Chad and Niger. Soon this institution became a recruiting ground for future Jihadists to fight the

state (Adebayo, 2014). Yusuf was able to convince and recruit members, mostly youths. Citing

the Quran and the words of Prophet Mohammed, the youths saw him as a leader mandated to

deliver them from malevolence to the Promise land.

The group largely carried out its evil perpetrations peacefully between 2002 and 2008. In 2009,

the Nigerian government began investigating the sect’s activities based on security reports that

the sect had embarked on stocking arms and ammunitions as reported by the Guardian

Newspaper in 2009. It is believed that the Nigerian government ignored reports on the activities

of the sect until the bombing of the United Nations Headquarters in Abuja. The sect has since

then been seen as a terrorist group by the global community.

After they gained popularity in 2009, the operations of the sect were minimal. However, the sect

re-emerged in 2010 with news strategies and tactics that include kidnapping, suicide bombing,

attacking places of worship (churches and mosques) as well as attacking Islamic clerics in the

country. Nigeria experienced the first suicide bob attack at the Police headquarters and the

10
United Nations headquarters in Abuja (Blanchard, 2014). The operations of the sect became

gruesome and escalated after the kidnap of 250 female students from the Government Girl’s

Secondary School Chibok in April 2014 (Zenn, 2014). Ansaru stemmed out of the Boko Haram

sect and was responsible for the kidnap and execution of seven foreigners who were working

with construction companies in 2013. As a result, on the 22nd of May, 2014, the United Nations

Committee on Al Qaeda sanction tagged the group as one of the world’s terrorist organization.

The United Nations described the Boko Haram sect as an affiliate of Al-Qaeda as well as one of

the organisations of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) (Nicholas, 2014).

Boko Haram is a sect with the belief that politics in the Northern part of Nigeria has been seized

by false and corrupt Muslims. The sect wants to wage a war against them and the Nigerian

Federal Republic in order to create a ‘pure’ Islamic state that is ruled by Sharia. Ever since

August 2011, the group has planted bombs regularly in public places in the North-eastern part of

Nigeria, attacking churches, setting schools, homes ablaze and broadening its targets. According

to Institute for Security Studies (ISS, 2017), Boko Haram has engaged in ruthless attacks,

including attacks on villages, beating civilians, holding civilians hostage in buildings and setting

them on fire, killing persons that attempt to escape and injunctions to kill persons who oppose

the group’s teachings. “In 2017, Boko Haram demonstrated a greater reliance on attacking soft

targets- women, children and refugees” (ISS, 2017).

2.2.2 BOKO HARAM AND THE MEDIA

One of the biggest issues facing Nigeria today is the threat the Boko Haram sect has posed to

virtually all Nigerians as a result of their terrorist activities. Study shows that well over hundreds

11
of thousands of people have been victims and causalities of the sect’s activities, destroying lives

and properties and rendering others homeless. According to Onuoha and Oyewole (2018), the

sect has claimed the lives over 100,000 lives, displaced more than 2.6 million persons, caused

pain to over 52,311 orphans and 54,911 widows, and led to damages worth $9 billion. The mass

media as the mirror of the society has changed how we view the world and how we learn about

the world. The mass media provides information through images, texts and videos that stimulates

the audience mind and viewpoint.

Ngige, Babakale, and Hammanjoda (2016) opined that the media is an institution that plays an

important function in the fight against terrorism. “The media occupy a position that is similar to

that of the middleman providing necessary information about the affairs of a particular issue to

the producers, which is the government and the general public as consumer”.

To say that there has been an emerging growth and focus on Boko Haram and its activities in

contemporary Nigerian media is to state the obvious. Popoola (2012) is of the opinion that

conflict is the icing on the cake in the world of journalism. The depiction and portrayal of

terrorism especially Boko Haram has left the audience with overwhelming mental pictures and

imaginations to deal with. The media has become the main channel through which the audience

becomes aware of happenings around them (Tewksbury, Miller & DeMichele 2006). According

to Finkielkrant (1998) cited in Tester (2001), audience do not have to deny or turn a blind eye to

the happenings in the world as the media has made these issues visibly clear. Thus, by

popularizing and giving publicity to suicide bomb attacks, kidnaps, massacre and other activities

of Boko Haram, the mass media creates awareness about these events.

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 Journalists in Nigeria are readily available to dish out gory and detailed stories of terrorism

events and stories to the rather vulnerable Nigerian audience. It is through this way that these

media houses make profit and maintain industry relevance. According to Hoffman (2006), the

reportage of activities of terrorists brings a lot of attention to these terrorists and media houses

respectively. From this, it is safe to say that the problem of Boko Haram insurgency in the

country receives much attention from the media as these terrorists use it as a platform to express

their objectives, strategies and reach a very wide audience. Hence, saying there is a mutual

beneficial relationship between the media and Boko Haram would not be wrong. Sharifi (2015)

suggests that terrorists today have acknowledged the agenda setting function of the media where

they create buzz on topics, bring prominence to events and people in a very short period of time.

He also argued that these terrorists also understand the ability for these topics to lose relevance in

a matter of seconds. This encourages them to perform more gruesome acts of terror to remain

relevant in the media. Biernatzki (2002) opined that terrorists are aware that the fastest and most

effective tactic to gain public attention is by fuelling news values: conflict, drama and tragedy.

Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Margaret Thatcher labelled the media ‘oxygen of

terrorists’ (Muller, Spaaij & Ruitenberg, 2003). According to Margaret Thatcher, the only

solution to the end of terrorism is for the mass media to quit reporting stories relating to

insurgency or the activities of terrorists; without the media reporting these stories and activities,

terrorists would lose prominence. By depriving terrorists their ‘oxygen’, terrorism and

insurgency would be a thing of the past.

Okpara (2010) cited in Hamid and Baba (2014) argued that the Nigerian mass media has failed in

carrying out its surveillance function especially in reporting stories on terrorism and insurgency.

He opined that this negligence of duty on the path of the media has caused the incessant

13
activities of terrorists in the country. The mass media is saddled with the responsibility of

surveillance especially as it pertains to the issue of Boko Haram in the country. In doing so, the

media is expected to perform this function from an objective standpoint, ensuring an unbiased

approach in their news story reports. Popoola (2012) asserted that the Nigerian government

believes the media is an unpatriotic institution, depriving the country of peace and security and

hindering national development and political stability. According to him, the government

believes that the media’s surveillance function should be transparent and detailed enough,

providing accurate information that could reveal the identities of these terrorists thereby leading

to their apprehension. This opinion is confirmed giving reasons to the fact that the media gives

news reports on the activities of these insurgents in the country on a daily basis. However,

Popoola (2012) averred that while the government accuses the mass media for performing their

surveillance role poorly and being ‘unpatriotic’, the sect otherwise known as Jatul Alhus Sunnah

Lid daawati wal Jihad, is executing pressmen and journalists for revealing information to

security agents.

2.2.3 IMPLICATIONS OF BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY IN NIGERIA

The sect Boko Haram also known as Jatul Alhus Sunnah Lid daawati wal Jihad (Western

education is forbidden) surfaced in the year 2002 mainly as an Islamic movement for the

preaching of the Holy Quran, and also for charity to Nigerians in Maiduguri, Borno state. The

operations of the sect gained prominence in 2009 after the death of their religious and political

leader, Mohammad Yusuf. From 2009 to 2020, activities of Boko Haram have claimed the lives

of millions of Nigerians especially those in the North-eastern part of the country, displaced many

and caused social unrest in the country. The group concentrates its attacks on top governmental

14
establishments, mosques, churches, schools, public places and the general populace. The sect

who was responsible for the kidnap of over 200 secondary school students in Chibok has posed a

great threat on the existence of Nigeria as an autonomous political territory.

The impact and implications of the activities of this terrorist group cannot be overemphasised

and the mass media plays a key role in this. The reportage of the activities of the sect by the

media has caused a dent in practically all aspects of Nigeria’s activities. The media’s portrayal of

Boko Haram and terrorism in the country has deeply disturbed the peace and progress of the

country and also her development. These portrayals serve as a stumbling block to the country’s

political development, economic growth and advancement, sociocultural relations and so on. A

lot of scholars have argued and discussed the consequences of these portrayals according to their

observations, backgrounds and study. However, we shall focus critically on the political,

economic, environmental and social consequences (Linus, 2011).

ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF BOKO HARAM ACTIVITIES IN NIGERIA

As earlier established, the portrayal of Boko Haram insurgence has impacted to a large extent on

the economic sector of the country. According to Liolo (2012), the recruitment of the people into

the sect depends majorly on the economic nature and level of poverty in the area. In most cases,

leaders of these kind of terrorist organizations gather members by convincing their followers that

their fight is for the populace, they would provide basic amenities and necessities for them if

only they would support them. Since the emergence of the sect, there has been a constant decline

in the economic state of the country. Many Nigerians living in the North-eastern part of the

country have been forced to either take flight or die on the line. The hundreds and thousands of

15
people that have taken flight have been forced to lose their sources of livelihood. According to

The Nation Newspaper (2013:3), the activities of the sect has crippled the economic power of

Yobe and Borno state. The report revealed that thousands have been forced to abandon their

business within the troubled regions and has led to a massive reduction of people’s patronage in

the region. Reports in (Leadership Newspaper: 2012) revealed that in respect to the activities of

the group in the north, 97% of businesses were negatively affected. Some of them had to close

down, layoff workers, while others had to cut down on their hours of operation Thousands have

lost their homes in the process, turning them into Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) as billions

worth of properties have been destroyed as a result of these attacks.

As stated by Okoli and Iortyer (2014), the issue of national security in the country has been an

impediment to investment and trade, sustainable livelihood and development. According to the

authors, “this has damaged Nigeria’s profile as a favourable international destination for

investment, travel and tourism, scholarship and migration” Since the resumption of the activities

of Boko Haram in 2010, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Nigeria has declined due to the

country’s political instability. According to the World Investment Report (WIR) 2013, the FDI

flows to Nigeria fell by 21.3% - from $8.9 billion to $7 billion within one year due to the

presence of the Boko Haram sect in the country. This significant loss would create a lot of

challenges for Nigeria and hinder economic growth.

Boko Haram poses a big threat to the Nigerian economy as a result of the mass migration of

people from the Northeast to other parts of the country. This mass migration is crippling the

growth and profitability of established businesses in that zone. As non indigenes moved out of

the north, their economic contributions are withdrawn with attendant economic downturn. As

this drain is crippling the economy in the north, it has a reverberating effect in the Nigerian

16
macro economy. This is because, apart from the churches, the sect also attacks commercial

places like markets, parks, government agencies and banks (Okereocha, 2012:47). This

development will not only cripple the economic activities in the North as happened in Spain, but

will also put the Nigerian economy at risk and affect other countries such as Chad, Niger and

Benin that are dependent on the Nigerian economy to thrive.

SECURITY IMPLICATIONS OF BOKO HARAM ACTIVITIES IN NIGERIA

One of the basic and important needs of man for survival is freedom from want, diseases, hunger

and danger but unfortunately, the presence of insurgency in the country exposes man to all of

these. Terrorism hinders peace and stability in the state. The attacks and explosions in the

Northeast have claimed the innocent lives of citizens, foreigners as well as soldiers who are

meant to ensure proper security. Having peace of mind in the country is almost impossible

because fear has become part of the people as no one knows the next targeted area of the sect

(Ifeanyi, 2011).

The major violence surfaced in 2009 which was between the sect and the Nigerian security

agents which claimed the lives of over 700 people living in the capital of Maiduguri, Borno state

(Umar, 2012). Subsequently, the sect carried out another operation, a prison break in Bauchi,

releasing over 700 convicted inmates, some of which were their members. The Boko Haram

insurgency in the country has affected the national security of the country on a large scale. These

operations have revealed the incompetence of the Nigeria security and has caused a lot of people

to question the capacity of the Nigerian security system.

The Boko Haram menace has had damaging security implications for Nigeria such as giving

signal to the international community that Nigeria is unsafe for even ordinary visit Statistics

17
released by Global Peace Index, (GPI, 2012) have shown that between 2011 and 2012, there is a

significant decline in peace as Nigeria dropped four places to 146th out of 158 countries in

global peace ranking. As a matter of fact, Nigeria has been identified as the least peaceful

country in West Africa (lgbuzor, 2011:7).

The widespread insecurity in the North has caused decline in the development of the country

with implication for human, economic, political, security and psychological dimensions. There is

symbiotic relationship between development and security. Expenditures on security are essential

components of the development process. The use of resources to improve a country’s security

system could be more beneficial in others areas. Therefore, insecurity is a drain on national

resources at the expense of people’s well being. The adverse effects of insecurity on the

economic growth and development of a nation is quite enormous. Most often when terrorists

destroy human lives and property, the government responds by providing relief materials for the

victims of terrorism. The huge amount of money that is released in such circumstances is a drain

on the public treasury and the nation’s economy. For instance, in the 2012 budget, the federal

government allocated 21.91 (US$5.58) billion to security agencies (Opukri and Etekpe:

2013:377). Therefore, terrorist acts such as the Boko Haram hinders the development of the

nation and increases the level of poverty.

IMPLICATIONS OF BOKO HARAM ACTIVITIES IN NIGERIA ON EDUCATION

One of the factors that has affected the growth and development of Nigeria over time is the issue

of Boko Haram and its activities in the country. Asides the negative impacts on the economy of

the country, the presence of the sect has affected the educational sector especially in areas where

18
they operate dominantly; the Northeast. The emergence of the sect has negatively affected

education in the North to a large extent. According to the Nigerian education data survey 2010,

the incessant attacks of the group make it rather difficult for stakeholders and teachers to

persuade parents of these students to stay in school. According to Ibrahim and Mohammed

(2019), a number of parents in Madagali, Adamawa state, and other local governments in the

state have sent their wards and children out of the troubled state due to the attacks which in turn,

has affected the attendance of students in schools in Adamawa state. Adebayo (2014) affirmed

that the issue of terrorism in the country has made it a herculean task for Nigerian students to

gain admissions in other countries. According to him, this is because a number of international

schools see Nigerian students as potential threats and perpetrators of terrorism. There have been

cases of Nigerian students seeking educational opportunities being deported on arrival of such

countries. A popular one of these events had about 500 students deported from Canada. Igbokwe

and Bassey (2010:56) gave an account of how Nigerian citizens pleaded with the Canadian

authorities “especially for the sake of the students who were about 80% of the passengers who

were meant to be deported. They refused and simply said there is a tag on Nigerians”.

The educational sector which is an important determinant for growth and development and a

major investment in Nigeria has almost been crippled due to the activities of Boko Haram. The

activities of the sect has also affected the academic performance in Nigeria especially students in

these troubled states. Due to physical and psychological effects, “insurgency significantly affects

students performance through psychomotor, affective, and cognitive domain by 75%, 77% and

104.7% as a result of every 1% increase in the Boko Haram attack and activities in Adamawa

state” (Ibrahim & Mohmmed, 2019, p. 83).

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One of the striking components of Boko Haram’s ideology and belief is their hostility towards

the idea of Western education. As a result of this, the sect has carried out repeated attacks on

schools, teachers and students inclusive causing havoc on the already fragile education system in

the country. According to Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA, 2018),

the sect has massacred a total estimate of 2,295 teachers and caused over 19,000 teachers to be

internally displaced as a result of their activities. According to the United Nations Children’s

Fund (UNICEF, 2017), almost 1,400 schools have been destroyed, leaving majority the option of

remaining closed as a result of the severity of the damage caused on the buildings as well as the

unsafe status of the troubled region.

IMPLICATIONS OF BOKO HARAM ACTIVITIES IN NIGERIA ON POLITICAL

STABILITY

Some of the manifestations of political instability are corruption, fraud, embezzlement and

misappropriation of funds, inflation, lack of value, uneven distribution of wealth amongst others.

One of the reasons for the birth and emergence of the Boko Haram insurgency is as a result of

political instability. Nigeria as a sovereign state is made up of a number of regions and it just

happens that the Northern geopolitical zone suffers political and socioeconomic neglect as well

as poverty which can be justified to be one of the reasons for the operations of the insurgent

group in that part of the county.

To corroborate this point, Nauro and Martin (2009) suggested causal effects of political

instability on terrorism. They are:

20
 1. Political instability on the local level is a cause of international terrorism because

terrorism as an act demands abilities and skills that are usually developed in states that

are politically unstable

2. Terrorist abilities can easily be acquired under extreme political instability such as civil

wars and guerrilla warfare but are not easily gotten under other forms domestic political

instability like demonstrations and strikes.

3. The escalation effect is not independent from state sponsored terrorism, which allows us

to evaluate its importance at the end of the cold war in that we should expect that the

significance of domestic political instability does not decrease overtime.

4. If such skills do indeed accumulate across countries and over time shall expect that the

severity of terror attacks will increase overtime even if the number of attacks do not.

Linus (2011) also suggested some effects of the Boko Haram insurgency on the political

stability of Nigeria. In his work, he explained that one of the most important responsibilities

vested in the hands of the government is keeping the citizens together in harmony and providing

security. This crucial role will bring about political stability and promote good governance in the

country. It is no news that one of the problems political instability and bad governance has

caused is poor voting patterns and electoral malpractices. In the sense that, as a result of the

incessant operations of the insurgent group in the Northeast, people are now afraid of coming out

to cast their votes for their choice of candidate. This development has downplayed the voting

patterns in Nigeria and encouraged electoral malpractices in the country especially the northern

region where we have had cases of cows being used in the voting process.

21
IMPLICATIONS OF BOKO HARAM ACTIVITIES ON THE NATIONAL IMAGE AND

OUTLOOK OF NIGERA

The importance of image building for any sovereign state cannot be overlooked. Nimmo and

Savage (1976) described image as a “human construct imposed on an array of perceived

attributes by an object, event, or person”.

National image can be divided into two aspects; the perceived image and the projected image. As

the name implies, the perceived image focuses on the ideas and knowledge of other countries in

the mind of people from the angle of social psychology. This aspect of national image deals with

the attributes of the object and those of the beholders. The projected image on the other hand, is

characterised by images in the minds of people usually influenced by internal and external

factors. For example, the mass media plays a role in projecting the image of a country by

providing information on international and domestic matters (Xiufang & Chitty, 2009)

The activities of Boko Haram have affected to a great extent the national image of the country.

Since the group gained media attention and prominence in 2009, Nigeria has suffered from a

poor image especially in the international scene. This perceived and projected image has cost

Nigeria of her once growing economy as foreign investors shy away from investing in the

country’s economy as a result of the problem of insecurity and insurgency. This challenge was

confirmed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in 2004.

At the public forum which was held in Lagos, it was revealed that the country’s poor external

image has deprived it foreign investments necessary for the promotion of economic growth.

They also pointed out a decline over the years as a result of foreign investors refusing to come to

countries battling with domestic acts of terrorism (Nworah, 2006). Foreign investors who were

22
already in the country sense the challenge of security and return to their homes. The kidnaps of

foreign expatriates in that region have not also created more reasons for these investors to up and

leave. In the long run, the employment rate has dwindled drastically thereby resulting in high

poverty level.

The incessant attacks of the terrorist group in the Northeastern part of the country have

contributed in revealing the incompetence of the Nigerian government. “The attacks on foreign

missions in Nigeria, hijacking and bombing makes Nigeria look irresponsible and laughable

among the committees of nations. The seeming irresponsible attitude of the ruling class and its

inability to reach for the ultimate solution and credible but enduring options to resolve this crisis

creates an unsafe picture of a country dreaded by the foreign investors and peace loving citizens

of other countries” (Adeyemi-Suenu, 2015, p. 32).

2.3 SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW

In order to expand and also look at reviews of other research the following subtopics were

analyzed and focused on: The history of Boko Haram in Nigeria, Boko Haram and the media, the

implications of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. These subtopics help to shed more light on

the topic undergoing research. There is undoubtedly considerable potential for the media to

influence the perception of Nigerians from other geopolitical zones in building relationships with

North easterners. The mass media has contributed constructively to stereotyping people from the

north as a result of their reportage and portrayal of Boko Haram insurgents. This chapter

critically examines the ability of the media to cause strain on relationship building.

23
Also in this chapter, the Framing theory forms a strong basis for this study since the theory

proves that the manner in which the mass media gathers and disseminates news information has

the potential of shaping and influencing public opinion and perception.

2.4 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

This research adopts the framing theory.

2.4.1 FRAMING THEORY

The concept of framing is related to the agenda-setting tradition but expands the research by

focusing on the importance of the issues at hand rather than on a particular topic. The basis of

framing theory is that the media focuses attention on certain events and then places them within a

field of meaning. The theory was first put forth by Erving Goffman. He put forth that people

interpret what is going on around their world through their primary framework. This framework

is regarded as primary as it is taken for granted by the user. Its usefulness as a framework does

not depend on other frameworks.

Goffman states that there are two distinctions within primary frameworks; natural and social.

Both play the role of helping individuals interpret data so that their experiences can be

understood in a wider social context. The difference between the two is functional. Framing is

sometimes referred to as second-level agenda setting because of its close relation to Agenda

Setting theory.

The following assumptions are associated with framing:

24
1. Journalists select the topics they will present and decide how they will be presented. This

determines the issues audiences think about and how they think about them.

2. Audiences interpret information through their own frames. Audiences’ frames may overlap or

contradict the media’s frames.

3. Frames are reinforced every time they are evoked, whether positively or negatively.

4. Frame building is a systematic process that occurs over time.

Since this research study is on the portrayal of the Boko Haram sect, the framing theory was

adopted. There are academic debates and arguments about the similarities and differences

between the framing theory and the agenda setting theory. A few are of the opinion that they are

the same or with similar characteristics, others beg to differ. One thing that remains a constant is

the fact that these theories shed more light on how the mass media draws the attention of the

audience to various topics and issues. But the framing theory gives a wider scope in the way that

news stories are packaged and presented thereby creating a frame for that piece of information

(Davie, 2017). Gregory Bateson and Goffman Erving developed the ideology that the term

‘framing’ is a means through which people create meaning and makes sense of the rather

complicated world (Entman, Mattthes & Pellicano, 2009).

Entman (1993, p.52) defined framing as selecting some aspects of a perceived reality and making

them more salient in communicating text, in a way that promotes a particular challenge or

“problem definition, casual interpretation, evaluation and/or treatment recommendation for the

item described”. In simpler terms, Entman believes that the mass media selects or chooses an

aspect or topic, magnifies by focusing on its characteristics, and then establishes it in a more

25
identifiable image for the audience. According to De Vreese (2001), framing is seen as “the way

events and issues are organised and made sense of, especially by media, media professionals, and

their audiences”. Here, the theory of framing is used to expound the process through which the

mass media promotes an event or societal issue through emphasis, selection and exclusion

(Scheufele & Lyengar, 2010). There has been substantial amount of research conducted that has

proved the power of the mass media to affect the way audience perceives news stories reported.

De Vreese (2001) attests that framing is one of the most popular and powerful mass media

effects theory that analyses how the media gathers and reports news stories and thus, influences

the audience’s reaction to these reports. This is due to the fact that when the media continuously

send media messages from the same angle, still magnifying and emphasizing on the same

characteristics of the topic, misinterpretation becomes inevitable as this may be the reality of the

audience.

Some other scholars have argued that the framing effect of the media is not the only factor

responsible for audience perception. Some say knowledge and experience existed before contact

with the media, while others are of the opinion that the media is solely responsible for audience

perception Shuck and De Vreese (2006) in their work opined that knowledge and attitudes about

the issue or event play a crucial role in ascertaining the effects media framing has on audience

perception. Azlan (2012) on the other hand, believes that media framing effects are not

independent. This is to say “the accessibility of an issue, and the correlation between a subject

and the audience’s pre-existing opinions” determine the use of frames by the media.

Entman (1993) highlights four roles of media frames. They are:

1. To identify problems

26
 2. To establish causes

3. To identify causal agents

4. To provide solutions to the identified problems

He also argued that media frames are domiciled in four different locations. They are:

1. The text (this conveys the key words, stock phrases, stereotypes, images, sources of the

information, sentences and phrases that connote judgmental meanings)

2. The communicator (this individual makes a conscious or unconscious framing judgment,

usually within his belief system).

3. The audience (this is the receiver of media messages whose reality and perspective of the

world is shaped or framed by the communicator through the texts)

4. The culture ( “this is defined as the empirically demonstratable set of communication

frames exhibited in the discourse and thinking of most people in social grouping”) (pp.

51-52)

Entman’s argument in simpler terms indicated that the authenticity and functionality of

media framing is better understood within the entire process of communication.

The mass media influence on Nigerians in other geopolitical zones perceptions that North

easterners are terrorists could cause a major strain on future relations. This is basically because

opinions are built gradually and overtime which could result in serious issues like stereotyping,

lack of trust. In the light of this framework, this research work views the portrayals of Boko

Haram sect in Nigeria by the mass media to see their definition of Boko Haram in terms of their

identity, geographical location, tribe which would form the perception of audiences and how

27
these portrayals have an implication on future relationship building between the Northeast and

other geopolitical zones in Nigeria.

A B
REPRESENTATION INTERPRETATION

 Radical Islamic terrorist

 Militant Islamic separatists
 Affiliate of Al Qaeda
 Outlaws
 Terrorists Northeasterners are violent
 Aliens with criminal tendencies
 A menace
 Foreigners with disruptive behavior
 Illegal aliens

C
EFFECTS

Strained relationship
between
Northeasterners and
other geopolitical
zones

Figure 1.1 A model showing how media portrayals of Boko Haram affects relationship building
between the Northeast and other geopolitical zones.

28
Diagram A represents labels that the mass media uses in reporting stories on Boko Haram which
portrays North easterners in Nigeria.

Diagram B represents the interpretation which is the meaning that is construed and deduced by
Nigerians living in other geopolitical zones as a result of what the media portrays.

Diagram C represents the effects of media portrayal of Boko Haram which is a strained
relationship between these geopolitical zones that has hindered future relationship building and
sustainability.

CHAPTER THREE

3.1 STUDY DESIGN

The study design gives the researcher a procedure on how to conduct the study. To achieve this,

this study adopts the quantitative method; the survey method. The survey method was adopted

because it is effective in describing the characteristics of a large population and it allows for

respondents to provide candid and valid answers.

3.2 POPULATION OF STUDY

The population of this study consists of Nigerian indigenes that reside in Edo state, Federal

Capital Territory (FCT), Kano, Enugu, and Lagos. This is because these states are cosmopolitan

29
states and the feedbacks from the respondents in these states are useful for the study. The total

number of Nigerians in the selected states according to the 2006 Census is –

Edo - (1,147,188)

Lagos - (8,048,430)

Abuja - (776,298)

Kano - (2,828,861)

Enugu - (722,664)

3.3 SAMPLE SIZE

The sample size is drawn out of the population to represent the whole population. Nigerians from

Edo state, Abuja, Lagos, Enugu and Kano represent the five geopolitical zones in Nigeria. In

determining the sample size, the Taro Yamane method was used for the calculation.

n= N
1+ N (e) 2
The total number of sample for all 5 states is 400. The sample for each state is: Lagos (100),
Kano (85), Edo (85), Enugu (65), and Abuja (65).

3.4 SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

30
This survey made use of purposive sampling. Ojo (2005) says that purposive sampling method is

a non- probability sampling technique where the sample elements from a given population are

selected based on the subjective choice of the researcher. The five states for the survey were

purposively selected. A list of cosmopolitan states in Nigeria was selected. Each of these states

was given equal chance of selection. Based on the knowledge, these states were purposively

selected because:

3 They are easily accessible

4 They have a diversified economy

5 They have a large population of Nigerians from different ethnic backgrounds

3.5 INSTRUMENTS AND DATA COLLECTION

The questionnaire is the research instruments to be used for data collection of this study. The

questionnaire used would be divided into two sections. The first section in the questionnaire is to

collate information based on demographics while the other section seeks to address the research

objectives which include:

1. To examine the implications of the media representation on audience perception of North

easterners.

2. To examine the implication of media representation of Boko Haram on future

relationship between the Northeast and other geopolitical zones in Nigeria

3. To find out the influence of media representation of Boko Haram on audience perception

of North easterners.

The questions are close-ended questions that require the respondents to select an answer from the

list of answers provided by the researcher.

31
3.6 VALIDITY OF THE INSTRUMENT

For this study, a pilot study will be done. A total number of 20 questionnaires will be

administered to consider the demography that suits the sample for the research. The researcher

will code the instruments using SPSS to determine the validity of the instruments.

3.7 METHOD OF DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

The data for this study would be obtained from the responses gotten through the questionnaire.

The researcher will hire persons to administer the questionnaire in all the selected states except

Lagos state.

3.8 METHODS OF DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

The tool that would be used for data analysis and presentation is the Statistical Package for the

Social Sciences (SPSS). The software would be used to analyze the data gathered from the

survey. Presentation of the data will be done using the percentage tables and charts. This

software would be used because it makes quantitative and qualitative data analysis very easy for

the researcher. It was also chosen because it is cheap and has the ability to interpret a large

amount of data.

32
 CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS, DISCUSSION AND PRESENTATION OF RESULTS

4.0 INTRODUCTION

In this chapter the results of the data analysis are presented. The data were collected and then

processed in response to the problems posed in chapter one of this thesis.

4.1 SOCIO-ECONOMIC (DEMOGRAPHIC) CHARACTERISTICS OF RESPONDENTS

This sub section examined the socio-economic characteristics of respondents. These include the

age bracket, gender, employment status, educational qualification, marital status, geopolitical

33
zone. These demographic data would be analysed to establish the matches and variances of the

respondent’s data that are significant to this research.

4.1.1 AGE BRACKET OF RESPONDENTS

Table 4.1: AGE BRACKET OF RESPONDENTS

Age Bracket LAGOS (%) KANO (%) EDO (%) ENUGU (%) ABUJA (%)
18-28 19 32.9 10.6 12.3 27.7
29-39 43 36.5 31.8 24.6 41.5

40-50 27 21.2 40 33.8 20.0

51-above 11 9.4 17.6 29.2 10.7

Total 100 100 100 100 100

The age groups are ranked into five categories (18-25 years, 29-39 years, 40-50 years and >51

years and above). This eased the capturing of data as regards respondents age range. Table 4.1

showed that in Lagos, majority (43%) of the respondents were between the age bracket of 29-39

years, in Kano, most (36.5%) of the respondents were between the age bracket of 29-39. In Edo

most (40%) of the respondents were between age bracket of 40-50 years, In Enugu most (33.8%)

of the respondents were between age bracket of 40-50 years while in Abuja most (41.5%) of the

respondents were between age bracket of 29-39 years. From the analysis, it can be deducted that

Lagos and Abuja are the regions with the most youths due to striving for opportunities and also

presence of endless recreation for the populace, Enugu is the region with the most elderly people

while Kano is the least.

4.1.2 GENDER OF RESPONDENTS

Table 4.2: GENDER OF RESPONDENTS

Gender LAGOS (%) KANO (%) EDO (%) ENUGU (%) ABUJA (%)
Male 33 65.9 43.5 43.1 33.8

34
 Female 67 34.1 56.5 56.9 66.2
Total 100 100 100 100 100

The gender of passengers as presented in Table 4.2 shows that in Lagos, majority (67%) of the

respondents were female, in Kano 65.9% respondents were male. In Edo state, most (56.5%) of

the respondents were female, 56.9% respondents were the majority of respondents in Enugu,

while in Abuja most 66.2% were female. Findings showed that majority of the respondents are

female, this is a result of the fact that during questionnaire administration, the prevalent gender

present on field were women, which includes housewives and traders in shops. This would also

be a positive for this survey as women are generally known to be emotional in expressing their

feelings and would give perceptions that can be relied upon.

4.1.3 EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Table 4.3: EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Employment LAGOS (%) KANO (%) EDO (%) ENUGU (%) ABUJA (%)
status
Employed 33 61.2 23.5 23.1 43.1
Self-Employed 25 11.8 50.6 38.5 20
Students 12 9.4 17.6 27.7 15.4
Others 30 17.6 8.3 10.8 21.5
Total 100 100 100 100 100

Result as shown in table 4.3 revealed that in Lagos, most (33%) were employed while 30% of

the respondents were engaged in other form of work activity. In Kano, majority (61.2%) of the

respondents were also employed, 9.4% of the respondents were students. In Edo state, 50.6% of

the respondents were self-employed, most (38.5%) of the respondents in Enugu were also self-

employed while, 43.1% of the respondents in Abuja were employed. Findings showed that most

35
of the respondents in the study areas were employed. The high rate of employment can be

attributed to the fact that questionnaires were administered in urban and busy areas. Also in Kano

most of those employed were in menial jobs that do not require much level of expertise or

certification.

4.1.4 EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

Table 4.4: EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

Educational LAGOS (%) KANO (%) EDO (%) ENUGU (%) ABUJA (%)
Qualification
Primary 12 41.2 7.1 - 1.5
education
Secondary 18 21.2 10.6 24.6 4.6
education
OND/HND 12 - 28.2 6.2 41.5
B.Sc 33 28.2 41.2 63.1 49.2
M.Sc and 25 9.4 12.9 6.2 3.1
above
Total 100 100 100 100 100

According to the survey carried out, it was revealed that in Lagos, Most (33%) respondents

attained B.Sc level of education, Majority (41.2%) of the respondents in Kano attained primary

level of education. In Edo, Most (41.2) respondents had attained B.sc level of education, most

(63.1%) of the respondents in Enugu attained B.Sc level of education while majority (41.5%) of

36
the respondents in Abuja had attained OND/HND level of education. Findings showed that most

of the respondents had B.Sc level of education. This analysis also gives light to the fact that the

north houses the least educated people in Nigeria, this can be attributed to their religious beliefs

and also way of life, also Lagos which the commercial capital of Nigeria houses the most

educated people in the country due to the presence of educational infrastructures and learning

opportunities in the city, the same can’t be said for the northern part of the country where

informal farming is widely practiced instead of formal education. Implication from this analysis

would help understand why most vices in the country are perceived to be from the north.

4.1.5 MARITAL STATUS

Table 4.5: MARITAL STATUS

Marital Status LAGOS (%) KANO (%) EDO (%) ENUGU (%) ABUJA (%)
Single 19 32.9 10.6 12.3 27.7
Married 43 36.5 31.8 24.6 41.5
Widowed 11 9.4 17.6 33.8 10.7
Others 27 21.2 40 29.2 20.0
Total 100 100 100 100 100

Analysis presented in table 4.5 showed that in Lagos, most (43%) respondents were married, and

also in Kano most (36.5%) respondents were married. Most (40%) of the respondents in Edo had

other (Divorced, separated, etc.) marital status. In Enugu, majority (33.8%) of the respondents

were widowed. Most (41.5%) respondents in Abuja were married. Findings has shown that

majority of the respondents were married. From our initial findings on age, about 60% of

respondents are above 30 which can be said to be the average age for getting married and Nigeria

is a country where marriage is taken in high regard by all tribes and religion so it is only right

statistics show there is a high percentage of married adults, this is even minus the fact in the

north people get married to more than one spouse and also age is rarely a barrier. For this

37
research, this is also a positive as married people can be said to be relatively responsible and also

educated, so their responses can be relied upon.

4.1.6 GEOPOLITICAL ZONE

Table 4.6: GEOPOLITICAL ZONE

Geopolitical Zone LAGOS (%) KANO (%) EDO (%) ENUGU (%) ABUJA (%)
North-West 10 41.2 12.9 6.2 41.5
North Central 5 28.2 10.6 24.6 49.2
South-South 19 - 28.2 6.2 3.1
South-East 21 9.4 41.2 63.1 4.6
South-West 45 21.2 7.1 - 10.7
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Based on the result of analysis from table 4.6, the study revealed that majority (45%) of the

respondents were from south-west, and 5% respondents were from North central. In Kano 41.2%

respondents were from north-west and 28.2% respondents were from north-central. In Enugu

most (63.1%) respondents were from south-east. In Abuja, majority (49.2%) of the respondents

were from north central. The north central and northwest have the most indigenes in other states

and this can be attributed to a high level of migration in search for greener pastures and a better

living as the standard of living in the north is relatively low to other regions in Nigeria hence the

high percentage on northern populace in other states.

38
4.2 IMPLICATIONS OF THE MEDIA REPRESENTATION ON AUDIENCE
PERCEPTION OF NORTH EASTERNERS
The second objective entails the effect that the media has portrayed about book haram, the effect

in this sub-section is weighed with current and future relationships between north-easterners and

other geo-political zones.

4.2.1 PERCEPTION OF RESPONDENTS ON PEOPLE FROM NORTH-EAST AS A

RESULT OF MEDIA PORTRAYAL

Table 4.7: PERCEPTION OF RESPONDENTS ON PEOPLE FROM NORTH-EAST AS

A RESULT OF MEDIA PORTRAYAL

Perception of LAGOS KANO (%) EDO (%) ENUGU (%) ABUJA (%)
respondents on (%)
people from
North-East
Yes 69 41.1 60.0 49.2 35.4
No 23 49.4 21.1 23.07 12.3
Not sure 8 9.4 18.8 27.7 52.3
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

The study as shown in table 4.7, revealed that in Lagos, 69% respondents believed that media

portrayal of book haram affects their perception of persons from the Northeast. In Kano, most (49.4%)

respondents believed that media portrayal of book haram does not affects their perception of persons

from the Northeast. Most (60%) of the respondents in Edo believed that media portrayal of book

haram affects their perception of persons from the Northeast. Majority (49.2%) respondents in Enugu

believed that media portrayal of book haram affects their perception of persons from the Northeast. In

Abuja, majority (52.3%) of the respondents are not sure if the media portrayal of book haram affects

their perception of persons from the Northeast. This analysis therefore shows that the majority of

respondents believe that whatever the media portrays the north as goes a long way in affecting their

perception about the current happenings there. This is a very important revelation as it will give a strong

39
support to the theory of framing in the media, if the media is powerful enough to create an impression,

then it is also powerful enough to be manipulated to create a false impression.

4.2.2EXTENT OF PERCEPTION ON PEOPLE FROM NORTH-EAST AS A RESULT MEDIA ON

PORTRAYAL OF BOKO HARAM

Table 4.8: EXTENT OF PERCEPTION ON PEOPLE FROM NORTH-EAST AS A RESULT MEDIA

ON PORTRAYAL OF BOKO HARAM

Extent of LAGOS (%) KANO (%) EDO (%) ENUGU (%) ABUJA (%)
Perception on
people from
North-East
To a large extent 67 48.2 62.3 49.2 40
To a fair extent 21 38.8 23.5 27.7 4.6
Not sure 12 12.9 18.8 23.1 55.4
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Analysis of the study revealed in table 4.8 that majority (67%) of respondents in Lagos believed

that media portrayal of book haram affects their perception of persons from the Northeast to a

large extent, in Kano 48.2 believed that media portrayal of book haram affects their perception of

persons from the Northeast to a large extent. In Edo state, most (62.3%) respondents believed

that media portrayal of book haram affects their perception of persons from the Northeast to a

large extent, most (49.2%) of the respondents in Enugu believed that media portrayal of book

haram affects their perception of persons from the Northeast to a large extent while a majority of

the respondents in Abuja (55.4%) are not sure of the extent of the effect of media portrayal of

book haram on perception of people from north east. It can be seen that across all board

excluding Abuja, a little over 50% of people are in support that the media affects their perception

to a large extent. The Abuja exclusion can be attributed to the fact that these respondents are

close to the area of study thereby are really abreast of all happenings in relation to boko haram in

40
the north east. This result validates the study of this project, it is an acknowledgement that

respondents are aware that the media holds the power to dictate how they view the north

easterners.

4.2.3 GENERAL PERCEPTION OF NORTH-EASTERNERS

Table 4.9: GENERAL PERCEPTION OF NORTH-EASTERNERS

General LAGOS (%) KANO (%) EDO (%) ENUGU (%) ABUJA (%)
perception of
North-Easterners
Positive 11 48.2 23.5 23.1 41.5
Negative 59 35.3 62.3 43.1 58.5
Not sure 30 16.5 18.8 49.2 -
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

The study as shown in table 4.9, revealed that in Lagos 59% of the respondents have a negative

perception of people from north-east, in Kano 48.2% respondents have a positive perception of

people from north-east, majority (62.3%) of the respondents in Edo have a negative perception of

people from north-east, most (43.1%) respondents in Enugu have a negative perception of people

from north-east while most (41.5%) respondents have a positive perception of people from north-

east. It can be understood that there is a generally poor perception of the north east by

respondents from other geo political zones which is attributed to the distance away from these

hot zones, the closer on is to the north east, the less likelier one could be swayed by framing.

Abuja and Kano residents would have first-hand information either by primary or secondary data

and no matter how framed such information can be, they will always be up to date on real time

information even though it may be limited which is why we also have a few respondents having

negative perceptions about the North-east

41
4.3 IMPLICATION OF MEDIA REPRESENTATION OF BOKO HARAM ON
FUTURE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NORTHEAST AND OTHER
GEOPOLITICAL ZONES IN NIGERIA
This sub-section discussed the findings on the implication of media representation of book haram

on the future relationship between the north east and other geopolitical zones in Nigeria. The

result of findings are discussed below.

4.3.1 PERCEPTION OF MEDIA’S NEGATIVE PORTRAYAL OF BOKO HARAM

Table 4.10: PERCEPTION OF MEDIA’S NEGATIVE PORTRAYAL OF BOKO HARAM

Perception of LAGOS (%) KANO (%) EDO (%) ENUGU (%) ABUJA (%)
media’s negative
portrayal of Boko
Haram
Yes 53 21.1 60.0 49.2 35.4
No 38 64.7 21.1 23.07 12.3
Not sure 9 14.1 18.8 27.7 52.3
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Result as shown in table 4.10, the study revealed that in Lagos, Most (53%) of the respondents in

Lagos reported that the negative portrayal of Boko Haram has affected your relationship with people

from the Northeast, most (64.7%) of the respondents in Kano opined that the negative portrayal of

Boko Haram does not affect their relationship with people from the Northeast, in Edo most (60%)

respondents reported that the negative portrayal of Boko Haram has affected your relationship with

people from the Northeast, in Enugu most (49.2%) respondents reported that the negative portrayal of

Boko Haram has affected your relationship with people from the Northeast while, in Abuja majority

(52.3%) are not sure if the negative portrayal of Boko Haram has affected your relationship with

people from the Northeast. Based on this findings, it can be said that regions further away from the hot

42
zones have been affected by this negative portrayal of the North-east which is why they do not have a

cordial relationship with the residents there, while the closer regions who count themselves as ‘brothers’

to these affected tend to be more friendly as they are in the know of what exactly is happening in these

zones.

4.3.2 DESCRIPTION OF RELATIONSHIP WITH NORTH-EASTERNERS

TABLE 4.11: DESCRIPTION OF RELATIONSHIP WITH NORTH-EASTERNERS

Description of LAGOS KANO EDO (%) ENUGU (%) ABUJA (%)

relationship with North- (%) (%)
Easterners
Stay away completely 40 27.1 56.5 49.2 38.5
Be friend from a 8 36.5 9.4 3.1 13.8
distance
Lose trust in them 15 5.9 - 1.5 9.2
More careful around 25 25.9 10.6 33.8 46.2
them
Maintain cordial 5 4.7 2.4 1.5 -
relationship
Not sure if the Media 7 - 15.3 10.7 -
negative portrayal
affected my
relationship with
them
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Based on the result of analysis from table 4.11, the study revealed majority (40%) of the

respondents in Lagos reported that they stay away completely from people of north east, most

(36.5%) respondents in Kano are friend with north east people from a distance, Majority (56.5%)

of respondents from Edo stay away completely from people of North east, most (49.2%)

respondents also stay away completely from people of north east. The survey showed that most

(49.2%) respondents from Enugu stayed away completely while most (46.2%) respondents from

43
Abuja are more careful around people from north east. From this analysis, it can be seen that

there is a general agreement amongst all zones when it comes to avoiding relationship with the

North east, there is a negative response from the majority of the respondents, this is a natural

occurring behaviour amongst humans and Nigerians in particular. As the saying goes ‘prevention

is better than cure’, this is not to say they believe everyone in the north east could pose a certain

threat, but it is better to keep a distance that taking the risk.

4.3.3EFFECT OF PORTRAYAL ON FUTURE RELATIONSHIP WITH NORTH-

EASTHERNS

Table 4.12: EFFECT OF PORTRAYAL ON FUTURE RELATIONSHIP WITH NORTH-

EASTHERNS

Effect of negative or LAGOS KANO (%) EDO (%) ENUGU (%) ABUJA (%)
positive portrayals
(%)
on future
relationship with
North-Easterners
Yes 82 25.9 60.0 49.2 35.4
No 12 45.9 21.1 23.07 12.3
I don’t Know 6 28.2 18.8 27.7 52.3
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

The study as shown in table 4.12, revealed that most (82%) of respondents from Lagos opined

that negative or positive will affect future relationship with north easterners, most (45.9%)

respondents in Kano opined that negative or positive will not affect future relationship with north

easterners, majority (60%) respondents in Edo opined that negative or positive will affect future

relationship with north easterners. The study showed that most (49.2) respondents from Enugu

opined that negative or positive will affect future relationship with north easterners while,

majority (52.3%) respondents in Abuja do not know if negative or positive will affect future

relationship with north easterners. In summary, this analysis just goes to show that the media

44
portrayal of the north east would affect the vast majority of respondents especially respondents

from regions further away, it is also imperative to state that Kano and Abuja are of a slightly

different opinion as they believe no matter what the media portrays the north easterners as, it

would not affect their relationship with the north easterners, and this may be linked to the fact

they are much closer and probably already have families there.

4.4 INFLUENCE OF MEDIA REPRESENTATION OF BOKO HARAM ON

AUDIENCE PERCEPTION OF NORTH EASTERNERS

This sub-section discussed the influence of media representation of boko haram on future

relationship between the northeast and other geopolitical zones in Nigeria.

4.4.1 MEDIA’S NEGATIVE PORTRAYAL AFFECTED YOUR PERCEPTION

Table 4.13 MEDIA’S NEGATIVE PORTRAYAL AFFECTED YOUR PERCEPTION

Media LAGOS KANO EDO (%) ENUGU (%) ABUJA (%)

perception effect (%) (%)
Yes 65 23.5 48.2 49.2 27.7
No 18 62.3 16.5 43.1 66.2
Not sure 17 18.8 35.3 23.1 6.1
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Analysis of the study revealed in table 4.13 that most (65%) respondents in Lagos opined that the

media media’s negative portrayal has affected their perception of people from North east, most

(62.3%) in Kano opined that the media media’s negative portrayal does not affect their

perception of people from North east, in Edo state most (48.2%) respondents opined that the

media media’s negative portrayal has affected their perception of people from North east, also in

Enugu majority (49.2%) respondents opined that the media media’s negative portrayal has

affected their perception of people from North east while, majority (66.2%) respondents in Abuja

opined that the media media’s negative portrayal does not affect their perception of people from

45
North east. This goes a long way to support the theory of framing as we can see respondents

from other geopolitical zones agree that the media has successfully painted a bad picture of

northern easterners in their mind and this has negatively affected how they view the north

easterners, this is really a cause for concern because a large number of respondents from Lagos

which is the most populous city have a negative view of the north east, while Enugu and Edo

also have the same view point, the same can’t be said for Abuja and Kano as their closeness to

the north east helps them sieve out information from the media and can’t be easily swayed

4.4.2 MASS MEDIA PORTRAYAL OF BOKO HARAM

TABLE 4.14 MASS MEDIA PORTRAYAL OF BOKO HARAM

Mass media LAGOS (%) KANO (%) EDO (%) ENUGU (%) ABUJA (%)
portrayal of
Boko Haram
Terrorists 79 45.9 45.9 90.8 58.5
Militant 2 21.2 7.05 - 13.8
Islamic
separationist
s
Outlaws - - - - -
Menace - - - - 4.6
Foreigners - - - - -
with
disruptive
behavior
Aliens with - - - - -
criminal
tendencies
Affiliate with 8 25.8 32.9 6.2 9.3
Al-Qaeda
Radical 1 7.1 14.1 3.0 13.8
Islamist

46
 terrorists
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Based on the result of analysis from table 4.14, the study revealed majority (79%) of in Lagos

opined that the mass media has portrayed book haram as terrorists, majority (45.9%) of

respondents in Kano opined that the mass media has portrayed book haram as terrorists, majority

(45.9%) of respondents in Edo opined that the mass media has portrayed book haram as

terrorists, majority (90.8%) of respondents in Enugu opined that the mass media has portrayed

book haram as terrorists while majority (45.9%) of respondents in Abuja opined that the mass

media has portrayed book haram as terrorists. The result from this study validates the framing

theory, it can be seen that majority of the respondents are of the opinion that Boko haram is a

terrorist group as portrayed by the media, the validity of this information can be debated and also

stated as agenda setting theory but what matters is how the public sees it and so far the media has

successfully sent a message of “terrorist’ group to the Nigerian populace, thus the theory of

framing holds water and is highly prevalent in the current Nigerian media.

CHAPTER 5

5.1 INTRODUCTION

The focus of this concluding chapter is in two parts. The first is to summarize the

findings in relation to the research question and objective, the second is to document

recommendation that could be employed in achieving the aims and objectives. These are

respectively discussed below.

47
5.2 SUMMARY OF FINDINDS

This sub-section centres on summarizing the numerous findings drawn in the course of this

research work. The analyses have confirmed that age group, gender employment status, level of

education, marital status and geo-political zone all have significant contributions on perception

of respondents on perception of north easterners.

 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF RESPONDENTS

The findings show that most of the respondents sampled in the study areas were female,

within the age of 29-39 years and were married, majority of the respondents had B.Sc

certificates and are employed and most of the respondents were from the northern part of

the country.

 IMPLICATIONS OF THE MEDIA REPRESENTATION ON AUDIENCE

PERCEPTION OF NORTH EASTERNERS

The field survey showed that majority of the respondents believed that media portrayal of

book haram affects their perception of persons from the Northeast, majority believed that

media portrayal of book haram affects their perception of persons from the Northeast to a

large extent and most of the respondents have a negative perception of people from north-

east.

 IMPLICATION OF MEDIA REPRESENTATION OF BOKO HARAM ON

FUTURE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NORTHEAST AND OTHER
GEOPOLITICAL ZONES IN NIGERIA

Analysis of the study revealed that most respondents opined that the media’s negative

portrayal has affected their perception of people from North east. It was discovered that

48
 majority stay away completely from people of north east and media negative portrayal

has affected future relationship with north easterners.

 INFLUENCE OF MEDIA REPRESENTATION OF BOKO HARAM ON

AUDIENCE PERCEPTION OF NORTH EASTERNERS
Analysis of the study has that majority of the respondents opined that the media media’s

negative portrayal has affected their perception of people from North east just as majority

believed that the mass media as portrayed book haram as a terrorist group.

5.3 RECOMMENDATION

The major observation of this study is that the mass media have an enormous role to play on the

perception of book haram by Nigerians. It argued that even though the media houses are just

doing their job – reporting the incident(s) as they occur, thus keeping the citizens abreast of

facts; the rate at which news keeps coming regarding the activities of the sect has portrayed the

north as a very unsafe zone.

Nigeria’s government needs to work with the media sector and citizens’ groups to address the

root causes of this ethno-religious violence, build confidence in authorities and ensure that fake

news does not worsen an already tense situation. Foreign international television such as

Aljazeera and CNN should strive to strike a balance in the use of news reports and other patterns

of coverage in its discourse on the Nigerian government’s response to Boko Haram insurgency.

This is because the prominent use of news reports does not allow for an in-depth discourse of the

issue which results in inadequate depth of coverage.

Sensitive information should be well disseminated to the public in a more subtle manner, It is

also imperative that the media takes it upon themselves to enlighten the average Nigerian on the

49
state of the north and how peaceful it can be, it should focus on sectioning out the hot zones and

also give optimistic reports on how the present insurgence will be curbed in the nearest future.

50
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