Crowds converged on the Gumel Local Government secretariat in Jigawa State on Tuesday after a viral social media post claimed residents with COVID-19 vaccination cards would receive a 75,000-naira cash grant. Many abandoned their daily routines to attend, only to discover the information was false and no payments were being made.
The rumor spread quickly on WhatsApp and other messaging platforms, urging people to bring their vaccination cards to claim the supposed grant. During Nigeria’s vaccination campaign between 2021 and 2023, millions of residents received doses at health centers across the state’s 287 wards and were issued cards, making the claim appear credible to many.
Residents expressed frustration after traveling long distances. Idris Sani said he came from a village 15 kilometers away after reading the message. “I saw on WhatsApp that Corona card holders will collect N75,000 today. I came early but found nothing here,” he said. Another attendee, Maryamu Salisu, said she believed the government was offering payments until officials told her it was fake news.
Local authorities moved quickly to debunk the claim. Hussaini Gumel, special adviser to the council chairman on new media, said the story had no basis. “No government agency announced any N75,000 grant for COVID-19 card holders,” he said, urging residents to verify information before acting. He added that officials are now sensitizing communities to stop the spread of misinformation.
The Jigawa State Ministry of Health also denied involvement. Public Relations Officer Sagir Nayaya said the ministry has no record of such payments. “No ministry of health programme is disbursing N75,000 to Corona card holders. This is misinformation,” he stated.
The incident underscores the growing challenge of misinformation in Nigeria, where viral messages can mobilize large crowds and disrupt daily life. Officials stressed that residents should rely on verified sources and avoid spreading unconfirmed claims that fuel false expectations and erode public trust. The episode also highlights how quickly rumors can exploit lingering memories of the pandemic, creating confusion and disappointment among citizens.
