As a hub of interdisciplinary research, education, and public engagement, the CIDC is dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to navigate the complexities of the digital age with confidence and critical acumen. Through pioneering initiatives in cognitive security, countering malign influence operations, and promoting digital literacy, the CIDC aims to cultivate a global society resilient against misinformation and equipped to uphold the principles of democracy and informed citizenship. Leveraging AUBG's rich academic resources and its vibrant, diverse community, the CIDC fosters international collaboration and cultural dialogue, making significant contributions to the global discourse on democracy in the digital era.

He was the Dean of Graduate School and Research at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) and the Oversight Chair of the Atiku Institute – the development, research, and enterprise arm of the university. At AUN, he collaborated with UNICEF Nigeria to create the region’s first UNICEF graduate program in Communication for Social and Behavior Change to meet the training needs of communication personnel working in humanitarian, development, and conflict-related sectors in West Africa. His academic career includes positions at New York University’s Center on International Cooperation, Dickinson College, and as an adjunct professor of Media in War and Peace at the US Army War College, Carlisle. Jacob earned his PhD in Communication Studies at the University of Leeds, United Kingdom.