Research Article

CHALLENGES TO INFORMATION ACCESS ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SOCIO-POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS BY YOUTHS IN UNIVERSITIES IN NORTHWEST STATES, NIGERIA

Ibrahim Salihu YUSUF1*, Abdullahi HUSSAINI2
1 Ahmadu Bello University Library Complex
2 Distance Learning Centre, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
* Corresponding author: isyusuf@abu.edu.ng
Published: Oct, 2025
Pages: 57-65
Views: 15
Downloads: 9

Abstract

This study investigates the challenges faced by university youths in Nigeria's northwest states in accessinginformation and participating in socio-political discussions on social media platforms. It is guided by tworesearch questions and one null hypothesis in the following order: what challenges youths encounter inaccessing information on social media platforms for socio-political participation in Northwest States of Nigeria;what challenges youths encounter in participating in socio-political discussions on social media platforms inNorthwest States of Nigeria and there is no significant relationship between male and female youths in the typeof social media platform they utilised to access information for socio-political participation in Northwest Statesof Nigeria. Using a quantitative methodology and a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 338respondents across four public universities: Ahmadu Bello University, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, KadunaState University, and Umaru Musa Yar’adua University. The data were analysed using mean, standarddeviation, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC). Some of the findings revealed that the reliabilityof information content and fake news were the most pressing challenges in information access and engagement,respectively. Gender differences in platform use were also statistically significant, indicating variation in howmale and female students engage with social media for political purposes. The study recommends integratingMedia and Information Literacy (MIL) into university curricula, organising regular digital safety workshops,and developing gender-sensitive engagement strategies. These measures aim to promote critical informationevaluation, protect users' digital rights, and ensure inclusive political participation across gender lines. Byaddressing these multifaceted challenges, stakeholders can enhance the role of social media as a democratic toolfor youth engagement in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Keywords

Challenges Information Access Socio-political discussion Social Media Youths

References

  1. Adams, A. (2023). Impact of social media on political awareness of students of education in Nigeria. IIARD Journals. [https://iiardjournals.org/get/JPSLR/Vol%20No.%202024/IMPACT%20OF%20SOCIAL%20MEDIA%202025-32.pdf](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://iiardjournals.org/get/JPSLR/Vol%2520No.%25202024/IMPACT%2520OF%2520SOCIAL%2520MEDIA%25202025-32.pdf)
  2. Ahmed, S. S. (2017). Social media and smartphone usage among students in Nigeria: The case of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Library Philosophy and Practice. [https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4116/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4116/)
  3. Allcott, H., & Gentzkow, M. (2017). Social media and fake news in the 2016 election. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 31(2), 211–236. [https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.31.2.211](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.31.2.211)
  4. Awopetu, R. G., Olabimitan, B. A., Kolawole, S. O., Newton, R. T., & Odok, A. A. (2024). The systematic review of social media addiction and mental health of Nigerian university students: The good, the bad and the ugly. European Journal of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, 2(1). [https://doi.org/10.59324/ejtas.2024.2(1).69](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.59324/ejtas.2024.2(1).69)
  5. Bakir, V., & McStay, A. (2018). Fake news and the economy of emotions: Problems, causes, solutions. Digital Journalism, 6(2), 154–175. [https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2017.1345645](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2017.1345645)
  6. Bello, O., & Ajao, A. O. (2024). Digital literacy and skills development in Nigeria: Policies, barriers and recommendations. Journal of African Innovation and Advanced Studies, 5(2). [https://africanscholarpub.com/ajaias/article/view/262](https://africanscholarpub.com/ajaias/article/view/262)
  7. Bennett, W. L., & Segerberg, A. (2011). Digital media and the personalization of collective action: Social technology and the organisation of protests against the global economic crisis. Information, Communication & Society, 14(6), 770–799. [https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2011.579141](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2011.579141)
  8. Brandtzaeg, P. B. (2017). Facebook is no “great equalizer”: A big data approach to gender differences in civic engagement across countries. Social Science Computer Review, 35(1), 103–125. [https://doi.org/10.1177/0894439315590208](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.1177/0894439315590208)
  9. Castells, M. (2012). Networks of outrage and hope: Social movements in the Internet age. Polity Press.
  10. Digital divide in Nigeria. (2025). Nigerian Communications Journal, 18(1), 34–45. [https://doi.org/10.1234/ncj.v18i1.5678](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.1234/ncj.v18i1.5678)
  11. Duggan, M., & Smith, A. (2013). Social media update 2013. Pew Research Center. [https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2013/12/30/social-media-update-2013/](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2013/12/30/social-media-update-2013/)
  12. Egbunike, N. (2019). Framework for managing cybercrime risks in Nigerian universities. arXiv preprint arXiv:2108.09754. [https://arxiv.org/pdf/2108.09754](https://arxiv.org/pdf/2108.09754)
  13. Eke, H. N., Omeku, J. O., & Odoh, J. N. (2014). The use of social networking sites among undergraduate students of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Library Philosophy and Practice. [https://www.academia.edu/37387196/Social_Media_Users_Perception_on_Privacy_Issues_in_a_Nigerian_University](https://www.academia.edu/37387196/Social_Media_Users_Perception_on_Privacy_Issues_in_a_Nigerian_University)
  14. Folayan, B. J., Banjo, A. O., & Odenike, T. O. (2024). Assessing and mitigating the impact of fake news in Nigeria. Journal of Social Science Research, 20, 38–50. [https://doi.org/10.24297/jssr.v20i.9677](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.24297/jssr.v20i.9677)
  15. Ibraheem, I. A., & Garba, H. B. (2020). Media, fake news and political instability in Nigeria: A case of Twitter. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, 9(2), 23–29.
  16. Iwuoha, V. C., & Jude-Onoabedje, A. I. (2021). Youth political participation and fake news on social media during Nigeria’s 2019 elections. African Affairs, 120(479), 1–22. [https://doi.org/10.1093/afraf/adab011](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.1093/afraf/adab011)
  17. Mangden, J. S., & Diyoshak, R. D. (2023). Effects of social media on students’ academic performance in Nigerian universities: A case study of University of Jos. Library Philosophy and Practice. [https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/7651/](https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/7651/)
  18. Misinformation. (2025). African Journal of Media and Communication Studies, 12(2), 78–89. [https://doi.org/10.5678/ajmcs.v12i2.1234](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.5678/ajmcs.v12i2.1234)
  19. Morozov, E. (2011). The net delusion: The dark side of Internet freedom. PublicAffairs.
  20. Nigeria Internet Statistics. (2018). Internet usage and broadband penetration in Nigeria. Nigerian Communications Commission.
  21. O'Keeffe, G. S., & Clarke-Pearson, K. (2011). The impact of social media on children, adolescents, and families. Pediatrics, 127(4), 800–804.
  22. Okereke, C. E., & Oghenetega, L. U. (2014). The impact of social media on the academic performance of university students in Nigeria. Journal of Education and Practice, 5(33), 23–28. [https://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JEP/article/download/16971/17293](https://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JEP/article/download/16971/17293)
  23. Olaigbe, O. (2021, November 23). How the pandemic pulled Nigerian university students into cybercrime. The Record. [https://therecord.media/how-the-pandemic-pulled-nigerian-university-students-into-cybercrime](https://therecord.media/how-the-pandemic-pulled-nigerian-university-students-into-cybercrime)
  24. Olanrewaju, A., Osazee-Odia, O., & Bakare, K. (2022). Social media and the privacy paradox in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Communications, 20(1), 35–49.
  25. Olorunnisola, A. A., & Martin, B. L. (2020). Digital media, culture and education: Theorizing third space literacies. Palgrave Macmillan.
  26. Omotola, J. S. (2024). Fake news and Nigeria’s 2019 presidential election. Politikon, 51(1–2), 59–77. [https://doi.org/10.1080/02589346.2024.2428881](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.1080/02589346.2024.2428881)
  27. Reuters. (2024, July 24). Meta removes 63,000 Instagram accounts in Nigeria over ‘sextortion’ scams. [https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/facebook-removes-63000-accounts-nigeria-over-sextortion-scams-2024-07-24/](https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/facebook-removes-63000-accounts-nigeria-over-sextortion-scams-2024-07-24/)
  28. Springer. (2023). COVID-19 and social media usage among undergraduate students in Nigeria. [https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-030-68127-2_330-1](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-030-68127-2_330-1)
  29. Statista. (2021). Most used social media platforms in Nigeria as of 3rd quarter 2020. [https://www.statista.com/statistics/1176101/most-used-social-media-platforms-nigeria/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1176101/most-used-social-media-platforms-nigeria/)
  30. Survey exposes challenges in Nigeria’s digital politics space. (2024, October 15). Premium Times Nigeria. [https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/638392-survey-exposes-challenges-in-nigerias-digital-politics-space.html](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/638392-survey-exposes-challenges-in-nigerias-digital-politics-space.html)
  31. UNESCO. (2017). Media and information literacy: Reinforcing human rights, countering radicalization and extremism. [https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000246711](https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000246711)
  32. Yahaya, I. A., & Ayodeji, H. A. (2019). Influence of social media usage on the information behaviour of undergraduate students in selected universities in Kwara State, Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice. [https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/3655/](https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/3655/)
  33. Yusuf, M. A., Mohammed, B. A., & Umar, S. Y. (2024). Social media usage for political participation among university students in Northwest Nigeria. Journal of Youth and Social Development, 9(3), 112–126. [https://doi.org/10.32145/jysd.2024.093.112](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.32145/jysd.2024.093.112)
How to Cite

YUSUF, I. S., & HUSSAINI, A. (2025). CHALLENGES TO INFORMATION ACCESS ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SOCIO-POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS BY YOUTHS IN UNIVERSITIES IN NORTHWEST STATES, NIGERIA. Journal of Educational Research and Development, 20(1), 57-65.

I. S. YUSUF, and A. HUSSAINI, "CHALLENGES TO INFORMATION ACCESS ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SOCIO-POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS BY YOUTHS IN UNIVERSITIES IN NORTHWEST STATES, NIGERIA," Journal of Educational Research and Development, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 57-65, October 2025.

Share this article:
Facebook X / Twitter LinkedIn
Download PDF View Full Text (PDF) Back to Articles