Project – The Role of Social Media in Political Participation among Nigerian Youths: A Case Study of Osun State Election 2026

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Political participation is a fundamental component of democratic governance. Democracy depends not only on the existence of elections and political institutions but also on the willingness and ability of citizens to participate in political processes. Political participation may take different forms, including voting, campaigning, joining political parties, attending political meetings, contacting elected representatives, participating in protests, discussing political issues and engaging in civic activities. Verba, Schlozman and Brady (1995) describe political participation as activities through which citizens seek to influence government action, while Norris (2002) argues that democratic participation extends beyond voting to include a broad range of political and civic activities.

Young people constitute an important segment of the electorate and represent a major social force in contemporary democratic societies. Their participation can contribute to political renewal, accountability, representation and the development of democratic institutions. However, youth political participation has historically been affected by several challenges, including political apathy, limited access to decision-making structures, unemployment, distrust of political institutions, financial barriers, perceived corruption and the dominance of older political actors. In this context, the emergence of social media has created new possibilities for young people to communicate political opinions, organise collective action and participate in political processes.

Social media refers broadly to internet-based platforms that facilitate the creation, sharing and exchange of user-generated content and interaction among users. Kaplan and Haenlein (2010) describe social media as a group of internet-based applications built upon the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0 that allow users to create and exchange user-generated content. Platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, X, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok have transformed political communication by allowing ordinary citizens to create and circulate information rather than relying exclusively on traditional media organisations.

The political significance of social media arises partly from its interactive nature. Traditional mass media generally operates through a one-to-many communication model, while social media permits many-to-many communication. Citizens can receive political information, respond to it, challenge political actors, share campaign messages and communicate directly with politicians and other citizens. Howard and Parks (2012) argue that social media should be understood not simply as websites but as a combination of information infrastructure, content and people who produce and consume digital information.

This transformation has important implications for political participation. Social media reduces some of the barriers associated with political communication by providing relatively inexpensive channels through which individuals can express political views. A young person with internet access and a smartphone can comment on government policies, share information about candidates, participate in political discussions or mobilise others around a political issue without necessarily belonging to a political party or traditional organisation.

The relationship between social media and political participation has received considerable attention in political communication research. Gil de Zúñiga, Jung and Valenzuela (2012) found that social media use can be associated with political expression and participation. Their study suggests that social media can expose individuals to political information and discussions, potentially encouraging political engagement. Similarly, Boulianne’s (2015) meta-analysis of research on social media and political participation found generally positive relationships, although the magnitude and nature of the relationship varied across studies.

The importance of social media is particularly evident among young people because youths constitute a substantial proportion of active internet and social-media users. Young people are often more familiar with smartphones, digital communication and online communities than older generations. Consequently, political parties, candidates, civil society organisations and advocacy groups increasingly use digital platforms to communicate with young voters.

Social media can influence political participation through political information. Young people can obtain information about candidates, manifestos, political debates, campaign activities, electoral procedures and government policies through online platforms. This can reduce dependence on traditional political information sources and potentially increase political awareness.

However, access to political information does not necessarily guarantee informed participation. Social media also facilitates the rapid dissemination of misinformation, disinformation, rumours and manipulated content. The same technological features that allow accurate information to circulate quickly can also allow false claims to reach large audiences. Consequently, social media can simultaneously strengthen and undermine democratic participation.

The role of social media in political participation can also be understood through political discussion. Social media allows users to discuss political issues with friends, relatives, colleagues and strangers. Political discussions may increase awareness of alternative viewpoints and encourage individuals to clarify their own political positions. Valenzuela, Park and Kee (2009) found that social-network-site use could be associated with social capital and civic participation among college students.

Another important function is political mobilisation. Political actors can use social media to announce rallies, campaign events, town-hall meetings, fundraising activities and other political events. Supporters can share these messages with their networks, enabling campaigns to reach large audiences quickly.

Social media can also facilitate direct interaction between political actors and citizens. Politicians can publish statements, respond to questions and communicate their policy positions directly to citizens. Citizens, in turn, can question politicians, criticise government actions or demand accountability. This potentially reduces the distance between political representatives and citizens.

The role of social media in political mobilisation has become particularly visible in Nigeria. Nigerian political actors increasingly employ digital platforms during election campaigns, while young citizens use social media to express political preferences and evaluate candidates. The 2015 and 2019 elections demonstrated the growing importance of online political communication, while the 2023 general election further illustrated the centrality of digital platforms in political campaigning and youth engagement.

The 2023 general election was particularly significant because young Nigerians were highly visible in political conversations on social media. Hashtags, videos, memes, political commentary, candidate endorsements and online debates circulated extensively. Social media became an important arena for political expression, although online engagement did not always translate into equivalent offline participation.

Recent Nigerian research supports this distinction. Osamwonyi, Olawole and Badewo (2025), studying Nigerian youths during the 2023 general election, found substantial passive political engagement on social media, including consuming political content and participating in informal discussions, while active forms such as contacting political officials, joining political groups and campaigning were more limited. This finding is important because it suggests that being politically active online does not necessarily mean that young people participate extensively in formal political processes.

Research specifically focusing on Nigerian youths has also established that social media can facilitate political participation. A study of youths in Oyo State found that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norms and computer self-efficacy significantly influenced the use of social media for political participation. This suggests that technological and social factors can shape whether young people use social media politically.

Similarly, research examining Nigerian youth participation during the 2015–2019 general elections identified social media as an increasingly important platform for political engagement. However, Egbunike’s review of 44 empirical studies on social media, Nigerian youths and political participation identified methodological and contextual limitations in the existing literature and called for more context-specific research into the Nigerian experience.

The political importance of social media is also evident beyond formal elections. The #EndSARS movement of 2020 demonstrated how Nigerian youths could use digital platforms to organise, disseminate information, mobilise supporters and draw attention to political and governance issues. Research on the movement has examined how social media contributed to the organisation and communication surrounding the protests. The experience demonstrated that youth political participation can occur outside conventional electoral institutions.

Nevertheless, the political influence of social media is not necessarily positive. One of the major concerns is political misinformation. False information can influence perceptions of candidates, political parties and electoral processes. During election periods, misleading photographs, fabricated quotations, manipulated videos and false claims can spread rapidly.

Another concern is political polarisation. Social media users may interact primarily with individuals who share similar political beliefs. This can create echo chambers in which particular political views are repeatedly reinforced while opposing perspectives are dismissed. Consequently, social media can encourage political engagement while simultaneously increasing hostility between political groups.

There is also the issue of online political abuse and hate speech. Political discussions on social media can sometimes degenerate into insults, threats, ethnic stereotyping and personal attacks. Such behaviour may discourage constructive political discussion and potentially deepen social divisions.

Another challenge is the phenomenon of performative or symbolic political participation. A person may like, share or comment on political content without engaging in more demanding activities such as voting, attending meetings, volunteering or joining political organisations. This raises an important question about whether social-media engagement constitutes meaningful political participation or merely creates the appearance of political involvement.

The distinction between online and offline participation has become an important area of research. Barati (2023) found that casual social media use among youth had a substantial relationship with online political participation, but the effect on offline political participation and voting behaviour was much smaller or negligible. This suggests that increased digital engagement should not automatically be interpreted as increased electoral participation.

This issue is particularly relevant to Nigerian youths because political participation has historically involved significant barriers. Young people may express political opinions online but remain reluctant to vote, join political parties or participate in campaign activities. Consequently, the question is not simply whether youths use social media for politics but whether social media encourages broader and more meaningful political participation.

The Uses and Gratifications Theory provides a useful perspective for understanding why youths use social media politically. Katz, Blumler and Gurevitch (1973) argue that media audiences are active users who select media to satisfy particular needs. Applied to political communication, youths may use social media to obtain political information, express opinions, interact with political actors, entertain themselves, develop political identities or mobilise around political causes.

The Social Capital Theory also provides a useful perspective. Putnam (2000) argues that social networks and relationships can facilitate cooperation and civic engagement. Social media can expand the networks through which young people communicate political information and organise collective activities. However, the quality of these networks and the nature of interactions within them determine whether they contribute positively to democratic participation.

The 2026 Osun State Governorship Election provides a particularly important contemporary context for examining these issues. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) scheduled the Osun governorship election for 15 August 2026, and the election has now been conducted. INEC’s official election information confirms 15 August 2026 as the election date.

The election was an important political event in Osun State because it involved competition among major political parties and candidates and attracted substantial public attention. The election was contested by, among others, incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The 2026 election also provides a valuable setting for investigating social-media-based political participation because it occurred within an increasingly digital political environment. Young people could use social media before, during and after the election to obtain information, discuss candidates, support political parties, share campaign materials, debate political issues, monitor electoral developments and respond to election-related events.

The election was held on 15 August 2026, and INEC subsequently declared Ademola Adeleke the winner. Contemporary reporting indicates that Adeleke won 19 of Osun’s 30 Local Government Areas, while his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji, won 11. The election therefore provides a completed electoral event around which the experiences of young social-media users can be studied retrospectively.

An important dimension of the Osun election is the role of social media in electoral information and transparency. INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) enabled polling-unit results to be uploaded for public viewing. Reports following the election noted extensive public monitoring of results through the platform. This demonstrates how digital technology increasingly intersects with electoral participation and citizens’ monitoring of elections.

Social media may also have influenced campaign visibility during the Osun election. Political candidates and supporters could use online platforms to circulate campaign messages beyond physical rallies and traditional media. Young people could encounter these messages in their normal social-media feeds, making political communication part of everyday digital life.

The political relevance of youth in the Osun election was further emphasised by public appeals for young people to participate peacefully. Ahead of the election, traditional and civic actors urged youths to avoid electoral violence and contribute positively to the democratic process. This highlights the importance of understanding how young people participate politically, both online and offline.

At the same time, the Osun election occurred in an environment where concerns about political misinformation, inflammatory content and online manipulation remained relevant. The need for fact-checking was demonstrated by the publication of election-specific fact-checking materials during the election period. Thus, social media provided opportunities for political participation while simultaneously creating risks for the quality of political information available to voters.

The 2026 Osun election therefore offers a useful opportunity to investigate whether social media merely provided a platform for political expression or whether it contributed to tangible forms of political participation among youths. The distinction is important because a young person may actively discuss an election online without voting, volunteering, attending rallies or joining a political organisation.

Political participation in this study will consequently be understood broadly. It will include activities such as obtaining electoral information, political discussion, sharing political content, expressing political opinions, campaigning, supporting candidates, contacting political actors, participating in online mobilisation, attending political events and voting.

The study will focus particularly on Nigerian youths in Osun State because the state provides a specific electoral environment in which the relationship between social media and participation can be examined. Studying youths within the state can provide more contextually grounded evidence than relying solely on national-level surveys.

Another important consideration is the digital divide. Not every young Nigerian has equal access to smartphones, reliable internet connectivity, affordable data or digital skills. Therefore, social media may expand political participation for some youths while leaving others behind. Economic circumstances, location, education and digital literacy can influence access to political information.

There is also a distinction between political awareness and political participation. A young person may know about candidates and political issues without taking action. Social media may therefore increase political awareness without necessarily producing electoral participation. This distinction is essential when evaluating the actual political role of social media.

Furthermore, political participation may be influenced by trust. Young people who distrust politicians, political parties or electoral institutions may use social media to criticise the system but may nevertheless choose not to participate formally. Conversely, online information and interactions may increase confidence in political processes when they provide credible information and opportunities for engagement.

Social media can also facilitate youth political identity formation. Through interactions with peers, politicians, activists and civic organisations, young people can develop stronger political interests and identities. Political identity may subsequently influence participation in campaigns, elections and civic activities.

The role of social media in the Osun election should therefore be examined from both its opportunities and limitations. Its opportunities include rapid information dissemination, political mobilisation, citizen journalism, political discussion, candidate visibility, civic education and direct interaction. Its challenges include misinformation, hate speech, political polarisation, online harassment, digital inequality and the possibility of passive rather than active engagement.

The need for this study is reinforced by existing Nigerian evidence. Osamwonyi et al. (2025) found that Nigerian youths’ social-media political engagement during the 2023 election was characterised substantially by passive forms of participation. Earlier research in Oyo State found that technological perceptions and social factors influenced youths’ use of social media for political participation. These findings suggest that the relationship between social media and youth participation is neither automatic nor uniform.

Moreover, the existing literature has concentrated substantially on the 2015, 2019 and 2023 elections. The 2026 Osun State governorship election provides a new and highly relevant electoral context in which to examine how Nigerian youths use social media for political participation.

The present study therefore seeks to examine the role of social media in political participation among Nigerian youths, using the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election as a case study. The study is designed to determine the extent to which social media facilitated political awareness, discussion, mobilisation, campaigning, electoral participation and other forms of political engagement among youths in Osun State.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Political participation is essential to the effective functioning of democracy. However, youth participation in formal political processes remains a concern in Nigeria. Although young people constitute an important part of the Nigerian population and electorate, many continue to experience barriers to meaningful participation in political institutions and electoral processes.

One of the major problems is political apathy among youths. Some young people express strong political opinions but do not participate actively in elections or political organisations. Others may perceive politics as dominated by older individuals, financially powerful actors or established political networks. This creates a gap between political interest and actual political participation.

The emergence of social media appears to have changed the nature of youth political engagement. Nigerian youths can now discuss politics, criticise government policies, support candidates and mobilise around political issues without necessarily attending physical political meetings. However, it remains uncertain whether this increased online activity translates into meaningful offline political participation.

Existing research demonstrates this problem. Osamwonyi et al. (2025) found that Nigerian youths during the 2023 general election engaged heavily in passive forms of social-media political activity, including consuming political information and participating in informal discussions, while more active forms of participation were comparatively limited. This raises the question of whether social media is actually reducing political apathy or simply providing a new space for political expression.

A second problem is misinformation and disinformation. Social media allows political information to spread rapidly, but the information may not always be accurate. During election periods, false claims, manipulated photographs, misleading videos and fabricated statements can influence political perceptions. The existence of election-period fact-checking activity around the 2026 Osun election illustrates the importance of verifying information circulating during the electoral process.

A third problem is political polarisation. Social-media platforms can create environments where individuals interact primarily with people who share their political beliefs. This can reinforce existing political attitudes and sometimes increase hostility toward opposing political groups. Instead of encouraging democratic dialogue, political conversations may become characterised by insults, personal attacks and partisan hostility.

A fourth problem is online political manipulation. Political parties, candidates, supporters and interest groups can use social media to promote favourable narratives or attack opponents. Young people may therefore be exposed to political content whose primary objective is persuasion rather than balanced political education.

A fifth problem is the distinction between online and offline participation. A young person who posts political content, likes a candidate’s message or shares an election video may be considered politically active online, but this does not necessarily mean that the individual will vote or participate in other offline political activities. Barati (2023) found evidence of a strong relationship between casual social media use and online political participation but much weaker effects on offline political participation and voting.

A sixth problem is unequal access to digital political participation. Not all youths have the same access to smartphones, internet connectivity, data or digital literacy. Consequently, the political benefits of social media may be distributed unevenly among young people.

A seventh problem is the quality of political information available to youths. Social media provides large volumes of political content, but the quantity of information does not necessarily correspond to quality. Young people may encounter contradictory claims, propaganda and emotionally charged content without adequate skills for evaluating their accuracy.

An eighth problem concerns the potential decline of trust in political institutions. While social media can help citizens demand accountability, continuous exposure to negative political information may also deepen cynicism. Young people may become highly critical of politicians without developing the confidence necessary to participate constructively in formal democratic institutions.

A ninth problem concerns the limited availability of state-specific research. Existing Nigerian studies have examined social media and youth political participation nationally or in states such as Oyo, as well as during national elections. However, there is limited empirical research specifically examining the role of social media in youth political participation during the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

The absence of such research is significant because political participation is influenced by local political culture, electoral competition, social networks and the specific issues associated with particular elections. Findings from the 2023 presidential election cannot automatically explain the experiences of youths during the Osun 2026 governorship election.

A tenth problem is the need to understand whether social media is functioning primarily as an information platform, mobilisation tool, discussion forum, campaign instrument or mechanism for direct political participation. Without distinguishing these roles, it is difficult to determine the actual contribution of social media to youth political engagement.

The 2026 Osun election provides a timely opportunity to address these questions. The election was conducted on 15 August 2026, and INEC subsequently declared a winner after results from the state’s 30 Local Government Areas were collated. The election therefore provides a completed electoral event through which youths’ experiences of social-media political engagement can be investigated.

The central problem of this study is therefore that despite the increasing use of social media by Nigerian youths for political communication, information sharing and mobilisation, it remains insufficiently established whether and to what extent social media contributes to meaningful political participation, particularly voting, campaigning, political discussion, mobilisation and civic engagement among youths in Osun State during the 2026 governorship election.

This study therefore seeks to examine the role of social media in political participation among Nigerian youths, with particular reference to the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1.3.1 General Objective

The general objective of this study is to examine the role of social media in political participation among Nigerian youths, using the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election as a case study.

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

The study seeks to:

1. examine the extent to which Nigerian youths in Osun State used social media for political purposes during the 2026 governorship election;
2. identify the major social media platforms used by youths for political participation during the election;
3. determine the ways in which social media influenced political awareness and political discussion among youths in Osun State;
4. examine the influence of social media on youth participation in election campaigns and political mobilisation during the 2026 Osun election.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will guide the study:

1. To what extent did Nigerian youths in Osun State use social media for political purposes during the 2026 governorship election?
2. What social media platforms were predominantly used by youths for political participation during the election?
3. How did social media influence political awareness and political discussion among youths in Osun State?
4. To what extent did social media influence youths’ participation in election campaigns and political mobilisation during the 2026 Osun election?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following null hypothesis will be tested at the 0.05 level of significance:

H₀: Social media has no significant influence on political participation among Nigerian youths during the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election.

1.6 Significance of the Study

Nigerian Youths

The study will help young Nigerians understand the opportunities and limitations associated with using social media for political participation. It may encourage youths to move beyond passive consumption of political information toward informed and constructive democratic engagement.

Political Parties and Candidates

Political parties and candidates may benefit from understanding how youths use social media during elections. The findings may help political actors develop more effective and responsible youth engagement strategies.

Independent National Electoral Commission

The findings may provide useful information to INEC concerning the role of social media in electoral communication, voter education, information dissemination and youth engagement.

Civil Society Organisations

Civil society organisations involved in civic education, voter mobilisation, election observation and democratic governance may use the findings to develop digital strategies for reaching young voters.

Government and Policymakers

The study may assist policymakers in understanding the relationship between digital communication and democratic participation. It may contribute to policies aimed at strengthening digital literacy, combating misinformation and promoting responsible online political engagement.

Researchers and Students

The study will contribute to the academic literature on social media, political communication and youth political participation in Nigeria. It will also provide a foundation for future studies examining digital politics and electoral behaviour.

Democratic Institutions

The study may contribute to broader understanding of how digital platforms can strengthen democratic participation while identifying risks that may undermine informed political engagement.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on the role of social media in political participation among Nigerian youths, with the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election serving as the case study.

The independent variable is social media use, which will be examined in relation to:

• frequency of political social-media use;
• preferred social media platforms;
• exposure to political information;
• political discussions;
• sharing of political content;
• online campaigning;
• political mobilisation;
• interaction with candidates and political actors; and
• exposure to election-related information.

The dependent variable is political participation, which will be examined through:

• political awareness;
• political discussion;
• campaign participation;
• political mobilisation;
• contacting political actors;
• participation in political groups;
• attendance at political events; and
• voting and other offline electoral activities.

The geographical scope is Osun State, Nigeria, while the population of interest comprises Nigerian youths who were eligible to participate in the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

Since Nigeria’s voting age is 18, the study’s analysis of electoral participation will focus on youths who were legally eligible to vote.

The study is retrospective because the Osun State governorship election was conducted on 15 August 2026. INEC officially lists that date for the election.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Social Media: Internet-based platforms that allow users to create, share and interact with digital content and other users (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010).

Political Participation: Activities undertaken by citizens to influence political processes or government decisions, including voting, campaigning, political discussion, contacting political representatives and civic mobilisation.

Youth: Young persons within the age category relevant to the study. For electoral participation in this study, emphasis is placed on youths who are at least 18 years old and therefore legally eligible to vote.

Political Engagement: The extent to which an individual shows interest in, discusses, follows or participates in political affairs.

Political Awareness: Knowledge and understanding of political issues, candidates, political parties, electoral procedures and government activities.

Political Mobilisation: Activities designed to encourage or organise individuals to participate in political or electoral activities.

Political Campaign: Activities undertaken by political parties, candidates or their supporters to persuade citizens to support a candidate or political programme.

Online Political Participation: Political activities conducted through digital platforms, including posting, commenting, sharing political information, joining online political groups and engaging political actors.

Offline Political Participation: Political activities conducted outside digital platforms, including voting, attending rallies, participating in political meetings and campaigning physically.

Political Information: Information relating to political candidates, parties, government policies, elections, political events and public affairs.

Misinformation: False or inaccurate information that is shared without necessarily intending to deceive.

Disinformation: False or manipulated information deliberately created or distributed to deceive or cause harm.

Political Communication: The exchange of information, ideas, arguments and messages concerning politics, government, elections and public affairs.

Election: A formal process through which citizens choose representatives or political office holders through voting.

Osun State Governorship Election 2026: The governorship election conducted in Osun State on 15 August 2026 under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

1.9 Organisation of the Study

The study is organised into five chapters.

Chapter One presents the introduction, background of the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the study, research questions, research hypothesis, significance of the study, scope of the study, operational definition of terms and organisation of the study.

Chapter Two will review relevant literature on social media and political participation. It will cover the conceptual review, theoretical framework and empirical review, with particular attention to social media, youth political participation, electoral participation, online political engagement and Nigerian elections.

Chapter Three will present the research methodology. It will discuss the research design, population of the study, sample size, sampling technique, research instrument, validity and reliability of the instrument, methods of data collection and methods of data analysis.

Chapter Four will present and analyse the data obtained from respondents. It will include respondents’ demographic characteristics, presentation and analysis of data, analysis of research questions and testing of the research hypothesis.

Chapter Five will present the summary of findings, conclusion and recommendations. It will also discuss the contribution of the study to knowledge and suggestions for further research.

Project – The Role of Social Media in Political Participation among Nigerian Youths: A Case Study of Osun State Election 2026