PERCEPTIONS OF FACEBOOK-DRIVEN COVID-19 MISINFORMATION AMONG JOS NORTH RESIDENTS

The spread of COVID-19 misinformation on social media, particularly Facebook, has become a global concern, prompting scholarly attention on how false information affects public perception and behavior. This study examined the perceptions of residents of Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria, regarding COVID-19 misinformation on Facebook. Guided by three research objectives and underpinned by conspiracy theory, the study employed a survey research design using questionnaires for data collection. The population comprised 4,200,400 residents, with a purposively selected sample size of 385; 377 valid responses were analyzed. Findings indicate that Facebook has been used to disseminate COVID-19 misinformation to a significant extent, compromising adherence to preventive measures. The study concluded that this challenge can be mitigated by sourcing information from credible accounts such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), monitoring and removing misinformation, sharing verified survivor testimonials, and strengthening health sector campaigns. The paper recommends that Facebook users critically assess information before posting, and that intensive awareness campaigns by WHO, relevant health institutions, and governments are necessary to curb misinformation and protect public health