Analysis
Across Nigerian Facebook groups and East African Telegram channels, memes circulated accusing Bill Gates and 'Big Pharma' of using Africans as guinea pigs. Posts paired images of children with captions like 'Experiments on African bodies for Western profit.' On X, conspiracy influencers from the US and UK amplified the same content, linking it to broader anti-elite tropes about profit and control. The narrative blended genuine grievances about inequities with exaggerated claims of exploitation. The simultaneous posting of identical memes across platforms, peaking at nearly 400 posts in 48 hours, suggests coordinated amplification. With an estimated reach of 129 million, it stands out as one of the most dangerous narratives.
Recommendations
Direct confrontation of anonymous or troll accounts is counterproductive. Instead, elevate trusted validators and local voices. In Nigeria and Kenya, emphasize oversight mechanisms and local leadership in vaccination programs. In the US and UK, leverage health professionals and diaspora leaders to contextualize. Because this is a conspiracy frame, engagement should be values-driven ('protecting children, strengthening health systems'), avoiding myth-first repetition. Transparency around procurement and program integrity should be paired with testimonials from local partners.