A Professor of Applied and Organisational Communication at the University of Ibadan, Olusola Oyeyinka Oyewo, on Thursday called on the government to urgently establish a National Rumour Control Centre and strengthen the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to curb the growing spread of misinformation capable of fuelling unrest across the country.
Oyewo made the call while delivering the 600th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ibadan, titled “Rumour: A Coat of Many Colours, A Rainbow of Hearsay”, at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan.
The event was attended by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, top scholars, academics and members of the university community.
The professor warned that rumour, often dismissed as harmless talk, has become a potent driver of social tension, panic and even riots, especially in societies where information gaps persist and official communication is slow or unreliable.
Citing prominent communication theorists, Oyewo argued that while rumours cannot be eliminated entirely, they can be effectively controlled through credible, authoritative and easily identifiable sources of information.
According to him, “Rumour spreads fastest when people lack credible alternatives. To control it, the source countering such misinformation must be authoritative, reliable and accessible. When people cannot identify or trust official sources, they fall back on hearsay.”
He referenced scholars such as Terry Ann Knopf and Shibutani, who note that rumours thrive during uncertainty and collective anxiety, and may only dissipate when accurate news becomes available or when tense situations naturally subside.
Oyewo emphasised that simply issuing denials is no longer an effective strategy, describing them as inadequate and capable of being interpreted as government cover-up attempts. Quoting Rosnow (1983), he noted that “denial alone will never dispatch a rumour,” stressing the need for structured systems of verification.
The communication scholar said respected leaders, traditional rulers, political figures, social critics and professionals, also play a crucial role in addressing harmful rumours, but insisted that institutional mechanisms remain the most sustainable approach.
He therefore urged the government to strengthen the National Orientation Agency [NOA], making it more responsive, credible and capable of bridging communication gaps between citizens and authorities.
Central to his recommendation is the establishment of a National Rumour Control Centre, which he said would serve as an official, centralised information bureau where citizens could verify the authenticity of circulating claims.
According to him, such a centre would prevent the spread of harmful rumours that can lead to disorder, restore calm during periods of social upheaval by reducing fear and anxiety, improve coordination among government agencies in managing crises,provide citizens with a reliable and authoritative source of information, build public awareness about the dangers of rumour, bridge communication gaps between communities and government institutions, and track and analyse rumours that could lead to riots or insurrections.
He added that the rumour control centre would primarily focus on riot control, riot prevention, and the establishment of a public information service accessible to all.
Oyewo stressed that the rising speed of misinformation, especially via digital platforms, makes it urgent for Nigeria to adopt modern communication infrastructure that safeguards social stability.
He added that rumour management is not merely a communication issue but a national security concern that requires immediate governmental action.
