EDO STATE RESIDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF SOCIAL MEDIA COVEAGE

ABSTRACT

This study examined the extent of exposure to social media coverage of Nnamdi Kanu’s clamour for Biafra among Edo state residents. It sought to ascertain the social media channels used most by Edo state residents as well as determine the level of effectiveness of social media coverage of Nnamdi Kanu’s clamour for Biafra among Edo state residents. As such, the technological determinism theory and social judgment theory were used as theoretical framework. Survey method was used with 357 respondents. Highlights of major findings in this research suggest that there is a high usage of social media among Edo residents, Facebook and WhatsApp are the most popular social media platform used by Edo state residents, and less than 50% of respondents were satisfied with social media messages on Nnamdi Kanu’s clamour for IPOB . Another major finding was that being affected and satisfied does not immediately translate to being influenced. This because the level of influence of social media messages on Nnamdi Kanu’s clamour for Biafra, was found to be far less when compared to those who feel affected or satisfied with such messages. Based on the findings, there is need for the government to increase social media usage orientation. Social media ought to be taken more seriously for dissemination of information on critical topical political and agitation related issues. Also, government should engage more in the use of social media towards engaging the citizenry about governance, which will help the government have an enhanced measured sense of citizens' relative perception, as social media is characterised by prompt feedback mechanisms.