Social media, political efficacy and political participation in Nigeria

Abstract

The role of social media in influencing political thinking, perception, and participation is becoming increasingly important, as evident in the volume of research the topic has attracted. This article presents findings on social media, political efficacy, and political participation in Nigeria. The objective is to evaluate the relationship between social media and political efficacy; social media and political participation; and political efficacy and political participation in Nigeria. To this end, the study adopted a web survey design for sample participants across the country, using links distributed through Facebook and Twitter. Snowball sampling was adopted to determine the total number of respondents (N = 3,407). The results of the descriptive statistics and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient yielded evidence that the majority of social media users in Nigeria are male, young, educated and largely unemployed . It concludes that social media influences political efficacy and political participation in Nigeria.

Online Activism and Political Knowledge among Nigerian Youth during the 2023 Elections: Analyzing the Role of Online Information Sources

“…This study revealed that social media enhances political efficacy and subsequently increases political participation, reflecting the dynamics observed in our research. Our findings emphasize the transformative potential of online activism to foster political knowledge and engagement, similar to the effects of social media on political attitudes and behaviour described by Akinyetun (2022). Matthes (2022) contributed a significant perspective by highlighting the potential paradox of social media's influence on political engagement.…”

“…This convergence of results highlights the potential of social media as a catalyst for political engagement among the youth. Akinyetun (2022) delved into the relationship between social media, political efficacy, and political participation in Nigeria. This study revealed that social media enhances political efficacy and subsequently increases political participation, reflecting the dynamics observed in our research.…”

“…This work contributes to a deeper understanding of social media's democratic attributes and offers insights for nurturing participatory political cultures in democratic societies such as Nigeria. Akinyetun (2022) addressed the interplay between social media, political efficacy, and political participation within Nigeria. Through a web survey approach, the study reveals how social media influences political attitudes and engagement, particularly among young, educated, and often unemployed individuals, a demographic that mirrors global trends.…”

Social Media and the Incidence of Cyberbullying in Nigeria: Implications for Creating a Safer Online Environment

“…In today's technologically advanced world, social media has infiltrated almost every aspect of human life. Studies have emphasized the relevance of social media to political efficacy and political participation (Akinyetun, 2022), youth participation and activism (Akinyetun, 2021a), social media and electoral violence (Akinyetun et al, 2021) and social media and democratization (Akinyetun, 2021b). Social media is a veritable tool for enhancing communication and has increased the chances and ability of young people to aggregate their interests, articulate their thoughts, and demand for social and political change.…”

Exploring the Impact of Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence on the Well-being of Undergraduate Students in Ni-gerian Tertiary Institutions

“…However, the digital age has not been devoid of peril, with one particularly concerning issue being the advent of technology-facilitated sexual violence (TF-SV). The integration of digital platforms into Nigerian tertiary institutions reflects a global trend, altering how young adults engage with academics, social networks and engagements (Akinyetun, 2022). However, the convergence of education and technology extends beyond academia, giving rise to new challenges, including the risk of TF-SV (Fisico & Harkins, 2021).…”