Sippin’ on some sizzurp: a qualitative framing analysis of national opioid abuse coverage in Nigerian newspapers

Using Entman’s framing theory, we explored primary news frames in Nigerian newspaper coverage of national opioid abuse. Results yielded 12 news frames: 5 causal frames (Poor governance, Trauma coping mechanism, The perfect trafficking hub, Corrosive culture, Performance boosters), 3 consequential frames (Nigeria as a failing state, Thriving Black Market demand, Uptick in criminal kinsmen: fraudsters and terrorists) and 4 solution frames (Hawkeyed pharmacovigilance, Policy power plays, Drug rehab health services, All hands on deck: strengthening societal values). These research insights represent one of few communication studies on African opioid abuse and offer cultural context for future health intervention strategies.