Nigeria has been revolutionized in several ways since the inception and penetration of social media in various societal spheres, but it can be argued that the effect social media has had on politics stands as one of the most influential of all sectors. Going from a country where traditional media has long been the primary source of news and political discourse to a heavy reliance on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to receive news and geographic updates has been a mostly positive, and jarring, shift. Social Media platforms have emerged as powerful tools for shaping public opinion, organizing movements, and holding political leaders accountable.
Here are three specific ways social media is shaping Nigerian politics today:
1. Amplifying Youth-Led Political Movements
We often hear that the political decline that has been to the detriment of the Nigerian society can only be solved by the open-mindedness and hard work of the youth, and in no other way has the fervour of those youth towards political resurgence been as clear and impactful as if has with the use of social media.
Take for instance the #EndSARS movement, a youth-led campaign against police brutality which took the country by storm in 2020. It was social media platforms, particularly Twitter, that played a critical role in mobilizing protests across Nigeria and the diaspora. Twitter gave hard-hitting real-life updates on the rally, despite what traditional news outlets tried to stifle in their own media, and allowed people even from the comfort of their home to let their valuable input be voiced.
Young Nigerians used social media to share experiences, organize protests, and raise global awareness about the issue. These platforms showed videos of the protests, police suppression, and the resilience of Nigerian youth. Social media also facilitated the crowdfunding of resources to support protesters, provide medical aid, and even hire legal representation for those arrested. The #EndSARS movement demonstrated that Nigerian youths, empowered by digital tools, could hold the government accountable and pressure leaders into action.
Not only did social media prove it was possible to mobilize and educate the entire country on the wrong-doing of those in charge, it led to a positive change which over turned a corrupt institution forgood, because in the few months following the movement, the #EndSARS protests led to the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
2. Combating Media Censorship and The Rise of Citizen Journalism
It is hard to believe that quick, easy and even participatory involvement in the news has not always been the norm, but Nigeria has a long history of government influence over traditional media, from restrictions on press freedom to censorship.
Luckily, social media has broken through these barriers, providing a safe space for political expression and debate. Platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram allow citizens to bypass state-controlled narratives and share uncensored news, opinions, and analysis.
One notable example was during the 2019 general elections. Social media provided real-time updates, voter information, and exposed instances of electoral malpractice a lot faster than traditional media. Politicians could no longer control the narrative, as information from citizen journalists and independent persons spread rapidly online. As a result, it is no longer about who the government seeks to put in positions of power, but the understanding that despite who may seat in office, laypeople now have a power of their own: the gift of knowing.
In response to this growing influence, the Nigerian government has attempted to regulate social media, most notably with the controversial Twitter ban in 2021. The ban followed the platform’s deletion of a tweet by President Muhammad Buhari, raising timely conversation about the government’s intent to suppress free speech. However, Nigerians, ever resilient, continued to access the platform via virtual private networks (VPNs), till it was unbanned a year later. These efforts only go to show that attempts by the government to control social media only strengthened its influence.
3. Increasing Political Accountability and Transparency
Still on the subject of giving people a voice, social media has contributed to the stifling and contradicting of crooked opinions when the need arises. Social media has also changed the way political leaders engage with the public and how the public holds them accountable. In the past, politicians could control their public image through state media or private broadcasters, but with the rise of platforms like Twitter and Facebook, Nigerian leaders are more exposed to direct scrutiny.
Citizens now use social media to fact-check politicians' statements, highlight inconsistencies, and demand transparency in governance. This was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Nigerians used Twitter and Facebook to track the distribution of relief funds, question the government’s response and expose corruption in relief efforts.
In addition, platforms like Twitter have become direct lines of communication between the public and political figures. Politicians like Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar actively use social media to engage with voters, explain policies, and respond to criticism.
However, this two-way communication also opens the door for public backlash when promises are not kept or when there is a perceived lack of accountability. Hopefully, the pressure from social media forces politicians to be more transparent and responsive, as failure to engage with the public can lead to widespread criticism, damaging their credibility and political career.
In Conclusion, social media has become a vital force in shaping Nigerian politics. From amplifying youth-led movements to holding leaders accountable, it has transformed the way political discussions unfold in the country. All this being said, it is not without challenges, because despite social media’s ability to promote transparency and accountability, it can also facilitate the spread of disinformation and give rise to new forms of political manipulation. But this cannot take away from the fact that as Nigeria continues to navigate this digital age, social media will remain a powerful tool in shaping the political landscape for years to come.
