Social media has become central to communication in Nigeria, yet it also amplifies security crises, from terrorism and insurgency to communal conflicts and separatist agitations. While technological interventions such as content moderation, fact-checking systems, and
digital literacy programs are often proposed as solutions, little empirical research examines how Nigerian stakeholders perceive their effectiveness. This study addresses this gap by exploring stakeholder perspectives on techno-solutions to social media-driven security challenges. Employing a qualitative research design, the study adopted an interpretive paradigm to capture nuanced perceptions shaped by context, experience, and social position. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 50 participants, including social media users, IT experts, security personnel, and civil society representatives in Southeast Nigeria. Thematic analysis was applied to identify patterns in stakeholder views, guided by the Diffusion of Innovations Theory and the technological determinism versus social shaping debate. Findings reveal a form of critical techno optimism: stakeholders recognise the potential of technological interventions but remain cautious of infrastructural deficits, platform underinvestment, and socio-political constraints. Participants proposed hybrid online offline systems, community internet hubs, digital literacy programmes, localized content moderation, and strengthened institutional capacities within security agencies. The study recommends multi-pronged approaches combining technology, education, and institutional reform to enhance the effectiveness of interventions while protecting citizen rights. These insights contribute to understanding the complex interplay between digital technologies, security governance, and societal resilience in developing contexts, offering lessons for policy, platform governance, and crisis management.
