Analysis of STEM coverage in Nigerian newspapers reveals critical gaps affecting national development and innovation capacity.
Imagine a nation navigating the 21st century without regularly discussing artificial intelligence, renewable energy, or biotechnology in its public discourse. Consider a society where groundbreaking scientific discoveries remain confined to academic journals, never reaching the everyday citizen through mainstream media. This isn't a hypothetical scenario—it's the reality revealed by a comprehensive study of four major Nigerian newspapers, whose near-zero coverage of emerging science and technology may be silently impacting the country's development trajectory 1 5 .
In an era where nations are racing to harness the power of science, technology, and innovation (STI) for economic advancement, the media serves as a critical bridge between laboratories and the public, between researchers and policymakers.
When this bridge weakens, so does a country's ability to inform its citizens, shape informed policies, and participate in the global knowledge economy. Recent research examining Daily Trust, Leadership, The Guardian, and The Punch—publications that collectively help shape Nigerian public opinion—has uncovered startling gaps in how they cover science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields 1 . The findings come at a crucial time when the global community is emphasizing STI as a driver for achieving Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in developing nations 3 .
To understand the landscape of science communication in Nigeria, researchers conducted a meticulous content and framing analysis of 728 issues from four prominent Nigerian newspapers: Daily Trust, Leadership, The Guardian, and The Punch 1 . The study spanned a carefully selected six-month period from December 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021, providing a substantial and representative sample of coverage.
Collecting all daily issues of the four newspapers throughout the study period
Systematically scanning each newspaper for STEM-related content
Applying standardized coding protocol to each identified STEM story
Using statistical methods to identify patterns and correlations
Standardized coding system for consistent categorization
Based on Entman's concept of framing theory 1
Examining all 728 issues eliminates sampling error
Multiple coders with consistency checks
The research team employed census sampling, examining every issue within this timeframe rather than relying on a smaller sample, thereby enhancing the reliability of their findings. Each newspaper was systematically analyzed for STEM and emerging STI content using standardized coding protocols that assessed:
This methodological rigor allowed researchers to move beyond anecdotal observations to empirical evidence, creating what constitutes one of the most comprehensive examinations of Nigerian science media coverage to date. The approach mirrored methodologies used in international studies of science communication, enabling valid cross-national comparisons where relevant 1 .
The study's most striking finding was the near-zero coverage of emerging science, technology, and innovation topics across all four newspapers 1 5 . Fields like synthetic biology, nanotechnology, epigenomics, and artificial intelligence received minimal to no attention, creating what researchers termed an "information black hole" around technologies that are transforming other societies.
When examining broader STEM coverage, the research revealed a markedly uneven distribution across scientific disciplines. The analysis identified eight key STEM areas, with three domains dominating coverage while others languished in obscurity 1 .
| STEM Field | Coverage Percentage | Level of Attention |
|---|---|---|
| Medical/Health Sciences | 48% | High |
| Agricultural Sciences | 24% | High |
| ICTs/Engineering | 19% | Moderate |
| Earth/Environmental Sciences | <3% | Near Zero |
| Physical and Chemical Sciences | <3% | Near Zero |
| Marine Sciences | <3% | Near Zero |
| Space Sciences | <3% | Near Zero |
| Mathematical Sciences | <3% | Near Zero |
This pattern suggests what media scholars call an "agenda-setting" effect, where the media's selective coverage influences what the public perceives as important 1 . By overwhelmingly focusing on health, agriculture, and information technology while neglecting other fields, Nigerian newspapers may inadvertently be shaping public perception of which sciences matter most.
The study also investigated the sourcing patterns for STEM stories, revealing important insights about how science journalism operates in Nigeria. Surprisingly, more than half (54%) of STEM content was generated in-house by journalists themselves, while only 33% came directly from national STI institutions 1 . A smaller proportion (13%) was obtained from foreign and internet sources.
This sourcing pattern raises questions about expert involvement in science communication. The relatively low contribution from national scientific institutions suggests a possible disconnect between the research community and media outlets in Nigeria.
Beyond what topics were covered, the research examined how these topics were presented—a concept communication experts call "framing." Framing refers to how media organize and present information in ways that suggest certain interpretations while discouraging others 1 .
| Frame Category | Percentage | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Health, Risk, and Safety | 42% | Disease prevention, safety concerns, health impacts |
| Economic and Political | 39% | Cost implications, policy decisions, funding |
| Academic | 7% | Educational aspects, research processes |
| Environmental | 4% | Ecological impacts, conservation |
| Ethical | 3% | Moral implications, ethical dilemmas |
| Other Frames | 5% | Various other approaches |
The dominance of health-risk and economic frames means that science is often presented to the public either as a potential danger or as an economic commodity, potentially overlooking other important dimensions such as curiosity, wonder, or pure knowledge advancement 1 .
Focuses on potential dangers, disease prevention, and safety concerns. This frame dominated 42% of STEM coverage, often emphasizing risks over benefits.
Emphasizes cost implications, funding decisions, and economic impacts. This frame appeared in 39% of STEM stories, framing science primarily in economic terms.
The coverage gaps and framing patterns identified in this study are not merely academic concerns—they have real-world consequences for Nigeria's development trajectory. The near absence of emerging STI coverage means that public discourse lacks the vocabulary and awareness needed to participate in global technological revolutions 1 .
"To promote STI as a driver of the SDGs, we must recognise that equitable, open, and reciprocal international research collaboration is key to driving progress and finding solutions to the critical global issues we all face."
When newspapers fail to cover emerging technologies, they create what innovation scholars call an "information deficit" that can stifle a nation's innovative capacity. Without public awareness and understanding of fields like artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and biotechnology:
May lack the urgency to fund emerging technology research
May not develop interest in pursuing careers in these fields
May overlook promising technological ventures
Cannot engage in informed debates about ethical implications
This concern was echoed by Professor Mohamed Hassan, former president of The World Academy of Sciences, who stressed that implementing STI agendas requires "integration of the STI agenda into national development plans to secure adequate funding, ensuring that research and development reaches a minimum of 1% of national gross domestic product (GDP), as recommended by UNESCO" 3 .
Addressing the coverage gaps identified in the research requires multi-faceted solutions targeting different aspects of the science communication ecosystem.
"Making STI a real enabler of SDGs in Africa requires that we finance differently, innovate inclusively, and govern collaboratively."
The silent crisis in Nigeria's science media coverage represents both a challenge and an opportunity. The research revealing near-zero coverage of emerging STI in major Nigerian newspapers serves as a wake-up call for scientists, journalists, policymakers, and citizens alike. The patterns of uneven coverage and limited framing don't just reflect the current state of science in Nigeria—they actively shape its future direction by influencing what the public and decision-makers know, care about, and are willing to support.
As Nigeria stands at the crossroads of technological advancement, the need for robust, diverse, and engaging science communication has never been greater. The words of Dr. Hayat Sindi, founder and CEO of the Institute for Quality, resonate deeply: "STI does not have a social compass. It can be beneficial and harmful to society. The fact that it misses a built-in social alignment is why it is not automatically trusted by communities" 3 . It is through thoughtful science communication that this social compass can be developed, ensuring that emerging technologies serve societal needs and values.
The empty spaces in Nigeria's newspapers—where stories about artificial intelligence, marine science, and space exploration should appear—represent not just absence, but potential. Filling these spaces with accurate, engaging, and diverse science stories could play a vital role in writing Nigeria's next chapter: one where scientific awareness and technological innovation become genuine drivers of inclusive, sustainable development.