Proposed Dissertation Topic:
The Role of Social Media in Shaping Electoral
Integrity and Voter Behavior in Nigeria
Study Problem
Nigeria’s electoral processes have increasingly relied on social media for voter
mobilization, political campaigning, and civic engagement, particularly among its
youthful population. However, the unchecked proliferation of platforms like
Facebook, X (Twitter), and WhatsApp has exacerbated threats to electoral
integrity, including viral misinformation, ethnic-based hate speech, voter
suppression tactics, and the manipulation of electoral narratives. Despite social
media’s transformative role in Nigeria’s elections—evident in the 2015, 2019, and
2023 general elections—there is limited empirical research on how these platforms
simultaneously empower voters and undermine trust in institutions like the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This study investigates the
duality of social media as both a tool for democratic participation and a vector for
electoral malpractice in Nigeria’s unique socio-political context.
Key Study Questions
1. How does social media influence voter behavior, political awareness, and turnout
in Nigeria’s ethnically diverse democracy?
2. What specific risks does social media pose to electoral integrity in Nigeria, such as
fake news, incitement of violence, or bias in algorithmic content distribution?
3. How effective are Nigeria’s existing legal and regulatory frameworks (e.g., NCC
regulations, INEC guidelines) in curbing social media-related electoral
malpractices?
4. What context-specific strategies can strengthen the Nigerian electoral system’s
resilience to social media-driven threats while preserving its democratic benefits?
Specific Objectives of the Study
1. To analyze the impact of social media on voter behavior, political participation,
and trust in electoral outcomes in Nigeria.
2. To identify and evaluate social media-driven threats to the credibility of Nigeria’s
electoral process.
3. To assess the effectiveness of Nigeria’s regulatory frameworks in addressing social
media misuse during elections.
4. To propose actionable recommendations for policymakers, INEC, and civil society
to mitigate risks and leverage social media for democratic consolidation.
Achieving the First Specific Objective
Objective 1: To analyze the impact of social media on voter behavior, political
participation, and trust in electoral outcomes in Nigeria.
Methodology:
1. Mixed-Methods Approach:
o Quantitative Surveys: Conduct structured surveys targeting 1,200+ registered
voters across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, focusing on social media usage
patterns, exposure to political content, and self-reported shifts in voting
preferences (e.g., influence of viral posts or influencers like @_adeherself or
@davido).
o Qualitative Focus Groups: Organize focus groups in urban and rural areas (e.g.,
Lagos, Kano, Enugu) to explore how ethnicity, religion, and socio-economic status
shape voters’ engagement with social media during elections.
o Big Data Analysis: Partner with Nigerian tech firms (e.g., Tech4Democracy
NGOs) to analyze trends in election-related hashtags (e.g., #NigeriaDecides2023),
fake news spread, and user engagement metrics on platforms like WhatsApp and
TikTok.
2. Case Studies:
o Examine the 2023 Nigerian general elections, focusing on incidents where social
media fueled misinformation (e.g., false claims about INEC’s BVAS system) or
amplified voter mobilization (e.g., the #Obidient movement).
o Compare with the 2019 elections, where social media played a lesser role but still
influenced narratives around voter apathy and post-election violence.
3. Stakeholder Interviews:
o Interview INEC officials, social media platform representatives (e.g., Meta’s
Nigeria team), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) regulators, and civil
society leaders (e.g., Yiaga Africa) to contextualize findings.
4. Ethical Considerations:
o Adhere to Nigeria’s Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and ensure informed
consent, particularly in regions with heightened political sensitivities (e.g.,
Southeast and Northwest zones).
Expected Output:
A data-driven understanding of how social media:
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Shapes voter choices among Nigeria’s youth (who constitute 70% of the
population).
Amplifies or mitigates ethno-religious polarization during elections.
Affects public trust in INEC’s electoral outcomes.
Contextual Adaptation for Nigeria:
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Highlight Nigeria’s high mobile penetration rate (82%) and youth
demographics (median age: 18), which make social media a critical electoral
battleground.
Address unique challenges like the spread of misinformation in local languages
(e.g., Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo) and the weaponization of platforms for ethnic
agitation.
Propose solutions aligned with Nigeria’s National Cybersecurity Policy and
INEC’s mandate to adopt technology (e.g., BVAS) while combating digital threats.
This framework ensures relevance to Nigeria’s evolving democracy and provides
actionable insights for safeguarding elections in Africa’s most populous nation.