Social Media and Group Consciousness in Nigeria: Appraising the Prevalence of Socio-Political Protests ()
ABSTRACT
Over time,
internet penetration, social media production and consumption have skyrocketed
with the unparalleled hike in advancement, adaptation and usage of information
communication and technologies (ICTs). This geometric increment has greatly
influenced the character of politics and administration in countries especially
in emergent liberal democracies where populism has continued to be misapplied.
In such countries, Nigeria inclusive, political leaderships have strangulated
safeguards through mindful annihilation of institutions of checks and balances
thereby subjugating the citizenry. Social media has thus turned out a veritable
platform for activists to create awareness on socio-political issues and
mobilize protests. This study, therefore, focuses on the strength of social
media in creating social, political awareness and mobilizing political protests
in Nigeria. In this study, the #BringBackOurGirls, #RevolutionNow and #EndSars
protests as test cases will be examined to understand the dynamic role of
social media in creating group consciousness and mobilizing political protests
in Nigeria. The study problematique will be approached using the qualitative
research design through secondary sources of data that shall be analyzed
content-wise. Based on the in-depth espouse of related literature, the social
movement theory serves as the basic theoretical framework of analysis for the
study. The study observed that a long period of marginalization and suppression
of sections of the Nigerian society capped in lack of accountability and
irresponsible governance constitute the major rationale for the massification
of groups on social media. It also observed that orchestrated repressive
measures bottled up anger in individual citizens who converge on social media
groups to ventilate their displeasure and grievances. These social media
platforms which enable seamless and rapid distribution of socio-political
information generate public sympathy that wakes up clannish ties, propels
people, to sum up group grievances and incite members against the state. The
study, therefore, surmised that widespread smartphone usage boosts group
consciousness and facilitates group mobilization and protests against bad
leadership.
Share and Cite:
Chiamogu, A. , Obikeze, O. , Chiamogu, U. and Odikpo, E. (2021) Social Media and Group Consciousness in Nigeria: Appraising the Prevalence of Socio-Political Protests.
Open Journal of Political Science,
11, 682-696. doi:
10.4236/ojps.2021.114043.