Abstract

The immediacy of social media gives citizens the ability to monitor real-world events and security issues and get immediate feedback that can help shape their responses and priorities, which can also be valuable in promoting security in general. Through its constant use, social media has played a significant role in fostering both positive and negative facets of insecurity. Therefore, this study investigated use of social media platforms and engagement in citizens’ journalism regarding security challenges in Nigeria among The Polytechnic Ibadan Students. The study adopted descriptive survey research design; multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted in the sample selection of 403 respondents. A validated instrument named; Citizen Journalism Social Media Questionnaire(r=0.874) was used for data collection; data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that students of The Polytechnic Ibadan made use of popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp (weighted x̄ 1.40) respectively and engaged in online discussion of security challenges to a large extent using Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Telegram, and others (weighted x̄ 2.11). Also, there was no significant difference (r = 0.053, p<0.05) in level of engagement in online discussion on security challenges in Nigeria. Thus, the study concluded that The Polytechnic Ibadan students’ social media use does not have any influence on security challenges in Nigeria. The study recommended that security information should be promptly disseminated virtually by security operatives to avoid spreading of fake security news through social media platforms.

Keywords: Use, Engagement, Social Media, Security Challenges

Impact Statement

The freedom to communicate and exchange knowledge with everyone on the planet, or with a large number of people at once, is the strength of social media. The role and impact of technology have come to stay, a multitude of tech-enabled practices can be used as part of social media, and such activities include picture posting, tweeting, social gaming, social networks, video sharing, business networks, virtual environments, feedback, and several other practices.  Even governments and politicians use social media to communicate with constituents and voters according to Pew Research Centre 2021, the media, which is important in the global war against terrorism and insecurity, has been used to fuel various types of terrorism and other illegal acts. This study investigated The Polytechnic Ibadan Students’ Use of Social Media Platforms for Citizen Journalism on Security Challenges in Nigeria. 

About Author/s

Dr Adekunle Olusola Otunla is a senior lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication and Media Technology, Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, Lead City University; where he is currently teaching Broadcast Media and Communication Technology, as well as conducting multidisciplinary research in media education and culture, applied communication technology, health promotion and advocacy and has been a teacher, researcher, and university administrator for over two decades in Nigeria’s public and private universities. Dr. Otunla has published extensively with over a hundred publications in diverse areas of research interest which cuts across media technology, mass communication, films, popular culture, and intercultural/religious studies. He is a regular host of an early morning daily devotional broadcast “Insights for Success” on Lead City 89.1FM Ibadan Nigeria.

Ayomide Abraham is a quality compliance officer in the Postgraduate College, Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria who has undergone training in Human Resource Management and has achieved basic office and administrative skills from her current profession along with organizational skills, management skills, communication skills, time management skills, during her current professional position. She is also a specialist in Microsoft Office and recently she attended and participated in a two-week international multidisciplinary faculty program on Advancement in pedagogical sciences and research, jointly organized by the International Council for Education Research and Training (ICERT) and INM PG College Meerut India in 2023.

References

1. Adamu, A., & Ocheni, D. (2016). Ethnic politics and the challenges of National integration in Nigeria. International Journal of Politics and Good Governance, 7(2), 1–20.

2. Adeyeye, P. (2020). At 60: The changing face of insecurity in Nigeria [Online]. https://www.dataphyte.com/governance/at-60-the-changing-face-of-insecurity-in-nigeria/

3. Chukwuere, J. E., & Onyebukwa, C. F. (2018). The impacts of social media on National security: A view from the northern and south-eastern region of Nigeria. International Review of Management and Marketing, 8(5), 50–59.

4. Digital Marketing Institute. (2021). Social media: What Countries use it Most & What are they using? https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/social-media-what-countries-use-it-most-and-what-are-they-using

5. Maya, D. (2021). Definition of social media https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/social-media.asp.

6. Nsudu, I., & Onwe, E. C. (2017). Social media and security challenges in Nigeria: The way forward. World Applied Sciences Journal, 35(6), 993–999.

7. Nwabueze, U. C. (2020). The role of citizen journalism in addressing the Bokoharam insurgency in Nigeria. Research Journal of Mass Communication and Information Technology, 6(2), E-ISSN 2545-529X P-ISSN 2695-2475. https://www.iiardjournals.org/get/RJMCIT/VOL.%206%20NO.%202%202020/The%20Role%20of%20Citizen%20Journalism.pdf.

8. Omotayo, F. O., & Salami, O. M. (2018). Use of social Media for Knowledge Sharing among Students. Asian Journal of Information Science and Technology, 8(2), 65–75. https://doi.org/10.51983/ajist-2018.8.2.174

9. Pew Research Center. (2021). Social Media fact sheet. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/social-media/

10. Statista. (2022). Social Media usage in the United States – Statistics & facts. https://www.statista.com/topics/3196/social-media-usage-in-the-united-states/

11. S, S. (2023). Impact of social media on Youth: Comprehensive Analysis. Shodh Sari, 02(04), 286–301. https://doi.org/10.59231/sari7640

12. N, S., & S, P. (2024). Utilization of social media to Enhance Learnability among Secondary School Students (CBSE AND ICSE). Shodh Sari, 03(01), 47–54. https://doi.org/10.59231/sari7653

13. Kumar, S. (2023). Artificial intelligence: learning and creativity. Eduphoria, 01(01), 13–1 https://doi.org/10.59231/eduphoria/230402

14. Kumar S. (2021). Psychosocial impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on school educators’ mental health and role of cognitive competence in coping with such adversities. International Journal of Biological Innovations. 3(2):323-330. https://doi.org/10.46505/IJBI.2021.3212

15. Kumar, S. (2024b). Mental Detox: Positive Self Talks. Eduphoria, 02(01), 05–07. https://doi.org/10.59231/EDUPHORIA/230405