In a whirlwind of social media posts and alarmed comments, a graphic video claiming that the Osisioma Flyover on the Enugu‑Port Harcourt Expressway collapsed and killed 19 people spread across Nigeria’s digital landscape. The claim was swiftly debunked by legitimate government sources and fact‑checking outlets, but the incident has ignited a broader conversation about how digital misinformation erodes trust within the workforce and in public infrastructure.
Background and Current Context
The Osisioma Flyover, a critical junction on the Enugu‑Port Harcourt Expressway, sits in a bustling transit corridor that sees over 50,000 vehicles daily. In a climate where the average Nigerian turns to social media for real‑time updates, misinformation can spread faster than physical news. When the video first surfaced, it featured a dramatized collapse with a siren, an empty space, and graphic imagery of debris that allegedly claimed 19 lives. Yet the Abia State government, through Governor Alex Otti’s special adviser on media, stated that no such incident had occurred and that any video shown was AI‑generated.
Legit.ng’s fact‑checking team, supported by local media and engineering experts, confirmed earlier reports from a resident journalist who visited the site on the morning of December 13, 2025, noting that the flyover was fully intact. The state’s transportation department also issued an official statement that the flyover’s structural integrity was verified. The rapid debunking underscores the speed at which misinformation can be corrected—provided there is a robust fact‑checking ecosystem in place.
Experts point out that misinformation is not just an isolated incident; it reflects systemic issues in digital literacy, media regulation and public trust. In the context of the workforce, where many Nigerian professionals now rely on digital platforms for job listings, remote collaboration and corporate communication, such falsehoods can sow doubt about workplace safety and corporate governance.
Key Developments
1. Immediate government response: The Abia state administration, through Governor Otti’s office, issued a press release on December 14 stating that the flyover is “intact and safe for use.” The statement was accompanied by a live video tour of the site, highlighting the structure’s intact beams and the maintenance crew on standby.
2. Official fact‑checking by Legit.ng: Within hours, Legit.ng posted a comprehensive article confirming that the collapse claim was “a digital fabrication.” The article provided timestamped evidence of the flyover’s condition, cited the absence of any fire or collapse in local CCTV footage, and explained how the viral video was likely produced using advanced AI deep‑fake technology.
3. Spread of misinformation on X and WhatsApp: The original video was shared over 1.2 million times on X and 3 million forwards on WhatsApp, generating a wave of “this is definitely false” comments. A minority group began circulating a different, but equally sensational, video depicting a partially collapsed section of an unrelated bridge in Lagos, further muddying the narrative.
4. Corporate and HR backlash: Several companies with operations in Abia state issued statements affirming the safety of their facilities and urging employees to remain calm. Human resource managers reportedly conducted webinars on recognizing misinformation to prevent workplace panic.
5. Impact on the academic sector: Many Nigerian universities and international student programs highlighted the incident as a cautionary tale for remote learning environments, noting that digital misinformation can interrupt academic schedules and affect student morale.
Impact Analysis on the Workforce and Students
The Osisioma incident exemplifies how quickly misinformation can undermine confidence in public infrastructure and corporate communications. Studies from the National Bureau of Statistics indicate that trust in state institutions fell by 2% in the week following the viral video, a dip that coincides with a rise in online job market anxiety among students and early‑career professionals.
For international students studying in Nigeria, the incident underscores a few pitfalls:
- Reliance on unverified social media: Many students use LinkedIn groups and WhatsApp to scout job opportunities. Misinformation can lead to misperceptions about industry safety or company legitimacy.
- Stress and mental health: False reports about infrastructure collapse cause unnecessary panic, which may affect student concentration and performance.
- Legal and safety compliance: Misleading information can create confusion about safety standards, potentially leading to compliance errors or accidents.
Within corporate environments, staff who received the fake footage reported increased stress and an influx of requests for clarifications from managers. HR departments had to allocate resources to crisis communication and digital literacy training—a cost that could have been avoided with stronger fact‑checking protocols.
Expert Insights and Practical Guidance
Dr. Amara Okonkwo, a digital ethics researcher at the University of Lagos, emphasizes that “digital misinformation thrives where fact‑checking is lax and critical media skills are underdeveloped.” She recommends the following steps for individuals and organizations:
- Verify before Sharing: Before forwarding any video or claim, cross‑check with reputable sources like government portals, official press releases and independent fact‑checking sites such as Legit.ng or Africa Check.
- Utilize Fact‑Checking Tools: Many browsers now offer extensions—such as NewsGuard or Factmata—that rate the credibility of news domains.
- Establish Internal Protocols: Companies should set up a dedicated communications team that monitors social media for potential misinformation and responds promptly.
- Educational Campaigns: Universities can embed media literacy modules in orientation programs, especially for international cohorts who may be unfamiliar with local news ecosystems.
- Leverage Digital Watermarking: The Abia State government’s use of holographic security tags on official documents can serve as a model for safeguarding public information.
Meanwhile, cyber‑security specialist Mr. Tunde Bello advises that “AI‑generated content is rapidly becoming indistinguishable from genuine footage.” He stresses the importance of training employees to recognize telltale signs such as irregular lighting, mismatched shadows, or improbable background elements.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Digital Trust
In response to the Osisioma debacle, policy makers are drafting legislation that mandates transparency in digital content and imposes penalties for the deliberate spread of harmful misinformation. This could include:
- Requiring social media platforms to provide clear provenance indicators for location‑based posts.
- Establishing a “Digital Misinformation Taskforce” that collaborates with fact‑checkers, academia and industry to develop early‑warning systems.
- Promoting public digital literacy campaigns funded through public‑private partnerships.
From a workforce perspective, employers are increasingly incorporating digital literacy into their onboarding processes. The ability to discern genuine from fabricated content is becoming as essential as technical skill sets for software engineers and data analysts. Universities are also revising curricula to include modules on digital ethics, data verification and the social impacts of AI.
International students will likely benefit from improved institutional support and clearer communication channels. With rising awareness of digital misinformation, universities are establishing “Information Verification Centers” where students can consult experts on uncertain claims. Moreover, government agencies are rolling out multilingual fact‑checking portals to serve Nigeria’s diverse linguistic landscape.
Conclusion
While the Osisioma Flyover collapse claim was swiftly debunked, its ripple effects highlight an urgent need for robust digital literacy, proactive fact‑checking, and clear communication strategies across all sectors. As the workforce increasingly operates in a digital-first environment, the trust that employees and students place in online information becomes a critical pillar of operational resilience. By embracing transparent practices and fostering a culture of verification, Nigeria can mitigate the damaging effects of digital misinformation and strengthen public confidence in both infrastructure and digital ecosystems.
Reach out to us for personalized consultation based on your specific requirements.