SOCIAL MEDIA AND NIGERIAN DEMOCRACY: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECT

Abstract

Recent developments in Nigeria’s political and digital spaces raise critical questions about whether social media enhances democratic participation or threatens it, especially in fragile democratic settings. This study explores the dual impact of social media on Nigeria’s evolving democracy by examining its roles in political mobilization, civic engagement, electoral transparency, and the spread of misinformation. The study adopts a conceptual and qualitative approach, relying on secondary sources such as peer-reviewed literature, institutional reports, and theoretical models. Drawing on Public Sphere Theory and Media Dependency Theory, the study develops a conceptual framework to assess the transformative and disruptive influences of social media on democratic norms and practices in Nigeria.  The paper argues that while social media platforms have expanded political awareness, participation, and accountability, they have also been misused to spread fake news, incite ethnic and political tensions, and manipulate public opinion. The study concludes that social media acts as a double-edged sword in Nigeria’s democratic development. It recommends the implementation of inclusive digital literacy programs, balanced regulatory policies, and collaborative efforts among government institutions, civil society, and tech platforms to ensure that social media strengthens rather than undermines democratic governance. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on digital democracy by highlighting the dualistic impact of social media in a transitional political environment.