Qualitative Surveys in Central and Southern Nigeria

In November and December 2024, we conducted a field mission in rural areas around Abuja and Calabar, Nigeria, together with my coauthor Jorge García-Hombrados. During this fieldwork, we carried out 10 focus groups across 8 rural communities, gathering the perspectives of 65 Nigerian women and 3 men. In addition, we conducted in-depth interviews with 6 Christian and Muslim religious and traditional leaders. The communities surveyed in the Calabar area were predominantly Christian and mainly composed of Efik, Ekoi, and Ibibio ethnic groups. Around Abuja, we visited Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa rural communities, many of whose residents were internal migrants from other regions of Nigeria. Each focus group lasted approximately one and a half hours and was conducted with the support of a local translator. The discussions focused on internet use and participants’ perceptions of its effects on social norms, particularly sexual behaviors and stigma.