Social media and good governance in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.
Keywords:
Social Media, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Good Governance, Niger Delta, NigeriaAbstract
This study examined the relationship between social media platforms and good governance practices in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, with specific focus on Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers States. Attention was given to how Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram influence governance indicators such as accountability, transparency, citizens’ participation, and the rule of law. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, while data were collected from 400 respondents selected through a multistage sampling technique. Primary data were obtained through a structured questionnaire titled Social Media and Good Governance Questionnaire (SMGGQ), while Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that Facebook usage has a significant positive relationship with good governance through enhanced public interaction and information sharing. WhatsApp recorded the strongest positive relationship with good governance due to its effectiveness in grassroots mobilization and civic communication. Instagram also showed a significant relationship with good governance, particularly in awareness creation and youth engagement. The findings further indicated that social media-related challenges such as misinformation, fake news, and political manipulation negatively affect governance outcomes. The paper concluded that social media platforms have become important instruments for promoting accountability, transparency, and citizens’ participation in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. It therefore recommended stronger digital engagement between government institutions and citizens, increased digital literacy, and improved measures for regulating misinformation on social media platforms.Downloads
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