In October 2025, Nigeria recorded a total of 142,004,662 internet users. This figure shows that the country added 1,645,841 users compared to the 140,358,821 users recorded in September 2025.
This increase has generated growing interest among government institutions, private organisations and individuals in the use of social media platforms for disseminating information to the public, particularly on issues of peace, conflict resolution, democracy and governance.
Social media are interactive tools that rely on mobile and web-based technologies. These technologies enable users to create, share and exchange information, ideas, images and videos online through digital networks.
According to Kate et al. (2019), social media refers to activities, practices and behaviours among communities of people who gather online to share information, knowledge and opinions using conversational media. Yasir H. (2014) views social media as a combination of web-based technologies and services such as blogs, microblogs, content-sharing platforms and social networking services.
In Nigeria, platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and blogs have the potential to complement traditional channels of communication between the public and government officials at the federal, state and local levels. This development has encouraged debates on social and political issues, especially those relating to democracy and public participation.
This article examines the role of social media in fostering democracy and good governance in Nigeria by clarifying the relationship between social media, democratic practices and governance.
The emergence of social media has transformed societies in many ways. Government agencies now use these platforms to share information for various purposes. When properly utilised, social media can support good governance, political participation and democratic processes. They can serve as tools for public awareness, idea sharing, collaboration and innovation in governance.
Despite these possibilities, discussion on the role of social media in strengthening democracy and governance in Nigeria remains limited. This article therefore seeks to examine and explain how social media contributes to democracy and good governance in the country.
The use of social media by government agencies has increased in recent years. Communication experts agree that social media can improve government outreach, enhance problem-solving capacity and support decision-making processes. Nigerians’ demand for transparency has also found expression through social media, supported by web-based technologies, mobile communication and electronic government systems.
Picazo-Vela (2012) observes that some government institutions experiment with social media to communicate with citizens and reshape relationships between government and the public. Beyond increasing public participation in decision-making, social media also supports transparency. Transparency involves making information open and accessible to the public in order to promote accountability.
Strand (2010) explains that transparency means providing citizens with direct and easy access to information about government activities. Access to such information enables citizens to exercise their civil and political rights more effectively by assessing public policies, monitoring government spending and demanding accountability. Transparency and access to information are therefore essential elements of democratic governance.
One major expectation of transparency is the reduction of corruption and improved understanding between the government and the governed. Social media has become one of the global drivers of democratic engagement by facilitating access to information. Providing reliable information to the public remains a key requirement of good governance.
Felten (2009) distinguishes between government-controlled information sharing, described as outreach, and transparency, which gives citizens the right to access information and influence public discourse and policy decisions.
Democracy is based on the opinions and participation of the people. The role of the media in preserving this principle has long been recognised. Scholars such as Harold Lasswell identified key functions of mass communication, including surveillance of society, linking different social groups and transmitting cultural values. Other functions include education, mobilisation and integration.
Democracy also requires fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, freedom of association and the right to participate in decision-making. It depends on open debate and the exchange of ideas. Social media supports these principles by informing and educating citizens, encouraging engagement and enabling people to make informed choices during elections.
In politics, social media is widely used to promote political parties, candidates, policies and programmes. It plays an important role in shaping political processes by covering elections, party activities and government policies. While Nigerian governments have expressed commitment to improving governance through public campaigns and sensitisation, challenges such as weak professional standards in media practice remain. This limits the media’s effectiveness in promoting democratic values and accountability.
Citizen journalism and social media platforms have provided alternative spaces for public discussion, allowing citizens to highlight local issues, question authority and express critical opinions. These platforms can strengthen transparency and participation, particularly where traditional media may be less critical.
Development experts argue that poverty, underdevelopment and weak infrastructure, as seen in Nigeria, are often consequences of poor governance. The British Council (2012) defines governance as the process through which power, authority and influence are exercised in managing public affairs and promoting social and economic development. Effective governance requires continuous information exchange between the government and the public, a role increasingly filled by social media.
The watchdog function of social media includes promoting transparency, encouraging debate on public issues, clarifying government policies, supporting citizen participation and monitoring the abuse of power. By exposing wrongdoing and questionable practices, social media can help reduce excesses associated with poor governance and hold public officials accountable.
In Nigeria, social media use has expanded significantly over the past decade. Records show that internet users increased from fewer than 200,000 in 2001 to about 63 million by 2019, while Facebook users rose to approximately 18 million during the same period, according to UNDP data. Today, many individuals can receive and share information instantly using mobile devices. This has made political reporting faster and expanded opportunities for investigation and public engagement.
Advances in digital communication have increased interest in the use of social media to support democracy and governance in Nigeria. Various policies and programmes now rely on social media tools to promote public participation and accountability. However, given both the positive and negative effects of social media, a balanced and practical understanding of its role is necessary. While its contributions to democratic governance should be recognised, careful and responsible use remains essential to ensure that social media strengthens democracy and good governance in Nigeria.
Maitama Imam wrote this piece from Kano, Nigeria.
