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.