Journal of Management Research and Review (JMRR) · Research article · Open access
Social Media and Youth Political Participation in Nigeria: Opportunities and Challenges
Enyioko Ikechukwu Jacinta (Ph.D), Bayefine Onaiyekan Robert
9 October 2025 · Vol. 1, Issue 4, pp. 102-112
DOI: 10.65150/EP-jmrr/V1E4/2025-A015 (registration with Crossref in progress)
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What is this article about?
This study investigates the role of social media in shaping youth political participation in Nigeria, emphasizing both the opportunities and challenges associated with its use. Adopting a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 600 respondents across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones using stratified random sampling.
Article at a glance
- Published
- 9 October 2025
- Volume / issue / pages
- Vol. 1, Issue 4, pp. 102-112
- ISSN
- 3051-3588 (online) · 3051-357X (print)
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0 — free to read and reuse with attribution
- Peer review
- Double-blind, at least two independent reviewers
- Publisher
- EP Journals Group
Abstract
This study investigates the role of social media in shaping youth political participation in Nigeria, emphasizing both the opportunities and challenges associated with its use. Adopting a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 600 respondents across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones using stratified random sampling. A structured questionnaire provided quantitative insights. The reliability of the instrument was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.86. Findings revealed that social media significantly enhances youth political awareness and engagement. For instance, 73.3% of respondents affirmed that social media improved their access to political information (M = 3.93), while 65.0% reported increased interest in politics (M = 3.68). Moreover, 56.7% of participants engaged in online political discussions (M = 3.50), and 70.0% noted exposure to diverse political views (M = 3.83). However, the impact on offline mobilization and voting decisions was moderate, with only 46.7% agreeing that online campaigns influenced their voting behavior (M = 3.27). Challenges were also pronounced: 65.0% identified misinformation (M = 3.65), 60.0% cited limited digital literacy (M = 3.50), and 65.0% emphasized high data costs and poor connectivity (M = 3.72) as barriers to effective engagement. Overall, the grand mean of 3.46 indicates a moderate influence of social media on youth political participation. The study concludes that social media is a double-edged sword facilitating awareness, mobilization, and activism, while simultaneously constrained by misinformation, digital divides, and regulatory challenges. Policy interventions, digital literacy programs, and inclusive internet access are recommended to maximize its democratic potential in Nigeria.
Keywords: Social media, Youth political participation, Democratic engagement, Misinformation, Nigeria
Cite this article
Enyioko Ikechukwu Jacinta (Ph.D), & Bayefine Onaiyekan Robert (2025). Social Media and Youth Political Participation in Nigeria: Opportunities and Challenges. Journal of Management Research and Review, 1(4), 102-112. https://www.ep-journals.org/articles/social-media-and-youth-political-participation-in-nigeria-opportunities-and-c36b4919
@article{Enyioko2025,
title = {Social Media and Youth Political Participation in Nigeria: Opportunities and Challenges},
author = {Enyioko Ikechukwu Jacinta (Ph.D) and Bayefine Onaiyekan Robert},
journal = {Journal of Management Research and Review},
year = {2025},
volume = {1},
number = {4},
pages = {102-112},
url = {https://www.ep-journals.org/articles/social-media-and-youth-political-participation-in-nigeria-opportunities-and-c36b4919}
}Questions about this article
Who wrote this article?
Enyioko Ikechukwu Jacinta (Ph.D), Bayefine Onaiyekan Robert.
Where and when was it published?
In Journal of Management Research and Review, Volume 1, Issue 4, pages 102-112, published by EP Journals Group on 9 October 2025.
Is this article free to read?
Yes. It is open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) licence, so anyone can read, share and reuse it with attribution.
What is the DOI of this article?
10.65150/EP-jmrr/V1E4/2025-A015. Registration with Crossref is in progress.
How do I cite this article?
APA: Enyioko Ikechukwu Jacinta (Ph.D), & Bayefine Onaiyekan Robert (2025). Social Media and Youth Political Participation in Nigeria: Opportunities and Challenges. Journal of Management Research and Review, 1(4), 102-112. https://www.ep-journals.org/articles/social-media-and-youth-political-participation-in-nigeria-opportunities-and-c36b4919
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