Role of Social Media In the Social, Economic and Political Development of Nigeria, By Umar Danbatta

…although NCC adopts technology-neutrality regime in its role, and will therefore not regulate social media use of apps also referred as OTTs, we nevertheless use our moral authority to request that Nigerians take advantage of the social media platforms to exchange information and participate in the political, social and economic processes of our country in ways that promote peace…

As a global phenomenon and platform for knowledge, information and person to group communications, the social media has come to shape our lives in very exciting and remarkable ways.

Scholars (Lasswell 1927; Field 1991; Klapper 1960; Cantril 2005) have demonstrated in varying degrees the power the media could exercise on the individual and society. More recently, Castells (2010; 2012), Mutsvairo (2016), and Jenkins et al (2016) have also shown both the utilitarian purposes, as well as changing nature of social media power, particularly when they are deployed in certain contexts in combination with other media.
The social media, in particular, have become the perfect example of the democratisation of information and technology, with demonstrable capacity to migrate communication to interactive dialogue, and social activation. This is greatly evident all around the world with regards to its use for campaigns and enlightenment by political parties. Read more