Preferences and Motivations of Nigerian Undergraduates in Sharing COVID-19 Information on Social Media

Abstract

This study investigated the practice and motivators of Nigeria undergraduates' use of satire, music, and comedy for sharing COVID-19 information on social media. Just 294 undergraduates from six federal universities in Southwest, Nigeria participated in the survey. A questionnaire was posted on online platforms to collect data from the participants. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with tables and charts adopted in the presentation of results. Findings revealed that the most used of social media platforms for sharing COVID-19 information was WhatsApp, while satire, music, and comedy were moderately used with comedy used mostly. Gratifications for satire, music and comedy use have positive effect on the undergraduates' sharing of COVID-19 information (β =0.531, P=0.000). Wherefore, academic libraries' provision of access to credible COVID-19 information in form of satire, music and comedy will possibly promote the sharing of reliable COVID-19 information among the undergraduates and as well foster meeting their gratifications positively.