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This study evaluated public perception of the influence of social media in the fight
against corruption in Nigeria. The research design adopted for this study was
descriptive survey research design. The population of this study consisted of the
general public since social media is used by everyone one and not associated with
a particular set of people and also, corruption affects the general public in
Nigeria. Convenience sampling technique was used to select one hundred and
fifty (150) participants from the general public to partake in this study. The
instrument adopted for this study was Questionnaire on Public Perception on the
Influence of social media in the Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria which was
of Nigeria (NOUN). The reliability test was conducted using Cronbach Alpha test
in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The data from the retrieved
questionnaire was analyzed using descriptive statistics from the SPSS. The,
findings from the results showed that social media has an influence in the fight
against corruption in Nigeria. Also, findings, revealed that social media have only
helped reduced corruption in Nigeria to a minimum extent. And lastly, the findings
done on this aspect of study with an increased population and sample size as it will
allow for more public opinions which may assist in creating new ideas.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Corruption is a broad term that covers a wide range of misuse of entrusted funds
International (TI), the most cited source in corruption discourses, is the abuse of
& Ukueze 2014). Corruption crime is a dishonest attitude carried out by persons
properties for private use. Corruption has destroyed the entire Nigerian society
(Uzochukwu, Ekwugha & Ukwueze 2014, p.7) and efforts aimed at reducing fraud
in this society have not yielded much result. Corruption thrives in Nigeria and
individuals severely affected by it are not willing to speak up or resist the practice
Nigeria such as: slow movement of files in offices, police extortion tollgates and
slow traffics on the highways, port congestion, queues at passport offices and gas
being inflated, public funds doled out to political allies and personal friends in the
international scene, Nigeria has been featuring prominently amongst the most
corrupt nations of the world and has been blacklisted as a nation where integrity
and transparency are alien and where no transactions occur without greasing
palms.
The fight against corruption in Nigeria has been a difficult task for the government
and citizens of Nigeria. There are many suggestions, publications and methods
drafted to fight the hydra-headed monster, but none has achieved a giant stride
towards the fight against corruption. Ugochukwu (2020), is of the view that every
effort evolved at addressing the scourge has always been frustrated by the
Commission (ICPC) on corruption, the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the
fight against corruption is getting difficult daily and many will be discouraged in
The emergence of new media known as social media in the 21st century became a
centre of human development because issues and events that shape the society
revolve around communication. Social media are novel communication tool that
enhances message distribution to many people with the aid of the internet. To this
effect, Nwabueze (2009) cited in Nwabueze (2014, p.165) affirms that the new
media make more information available to an average internet user and also have
more capacity to contain details of a story than any other medium. Social media
has grown over the years, and features which aid social media users have
Benefits derived from social media are many hence many regards it as a powerful
tool to help combat corruption in our society. Kaplan and Haenlin (2010) in
Nwabueze (2014, p.170) define the social media as media that use web-based
analyzed on social media. Dominick (2013, P.24) defined social media as online
sharing, collaboration and linkage. Two social media platforms namely Facebook
and WhatsApp are believed to be familiar and widely used in Nigeria. Facebook
social media platform allows users who are registered to create profiles, upload
media platform can share messages with groups and individuals on the platform.
These two social media platforms are installed from Google play store or apple
store on internet enabled phone or handheld devices. Therefore, in line with the
above statement, this study seeks to evaluate public perception of the influence of
ranked Nigeria 146 out of 180 countries analyzed. This rating is a sad development
quoted companies would not want to invest and do business in Nigeria. Corruption
has destroyed the entire system of governance in Nigeria and this makes it difficult
to fight and reduce crime to the barest minimum. However, the problem is to
evaluate how the social media have helped in the fight against corruption in
Nigeria since social media is fundamental tool in the fight against corruption in
Nigeria. Countries around the globe have adopted the use of social media in
governance, which sees many agencies having their social media handle or names
for ease of administration and broader coverage. In this light, this study therefore
seeks to evaluate public perception of the influence of social media in the fight
The main purpose of this study is to evaluate public perception of the influence of
1. To find out public opinion on the influence of social media in the fight
2. To find out public opinion on the extent to which social media have helped
2. What is the opinion of the public on the extent to which social media have
This study will be of great benefit to the public, the Nigerian government and other
researchers. The public will benefit from this study since it will help create more
awareness on the use of social media as one of the formidable tools to fight
corruption and fight for their rights in the Nigerian society. Also, the Nigerian
government will also benefit from this study by adopting social media as one of its
yet to reach some places and as such, it is hard for the government to have access
to information about corruption in some parts of the country, however with the
help of social media, the government might have access to information about some
corrupt practices in such areas. Finally, this study will be of great benefit to other
researchers since it will serve as a source of literature when they intend to carry out
Social Media: this can be referred to as to the means of interactions among people
in which they create, share, and/or exchange information and ideas in virtual
LITERATURE REVIEW
This chapter deals with the review of related literature on public perception of the
influence of social media in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. The review will
According to Maya and Amy (2021), the term social media refers to a computer-
based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information
information, documents, videos, and photos. Users engage with social media via a
Demirsoy and Karakoç (2016) cited Güngör that social media has started to
develop after entrance of internet in daily life. At first this process started as only
e-mail but later virtual environments like Facebook, Twitter, Gtalk, Myspace
located in our daily life. On the one hand, a new communication form has
developed in these new virtual environments; on the other hand, new social fields
have formed although they are virtual. That is social media is a communication
highlighting its social dimension and usage (Demirsoy and Karakoç 2016).
Social media also can be defined as a process including every kind of idea, point of
the same time interactive and sharing because of its specific vehicles and methods
(Kahraman, 2010: 14). Social media environments, which are seen as daily
dialogues between persons or groups even in small groups, have realized a rapid
diffusion with shared content, information and its increasing membership numbers.
The most used components of social media are blogs, wikis and social networks.
computer programmers who broadcasted some internet pages with little notes on
their own internet pages in 1997. The most similar form of blogs like today came
into picture in 1999. Today it has turned into an industry. Blog as a word was
produced from the word of “weblog” and they have become most used vehicles of
social media in which everybody can explain his or her ideas and create some
content according to their expertness for their followers (Demirsoy and Karakoç
2016).
Wiki: Wiki is the software designed by GNU that allows users to create new
pages, connect these pages with each other and arrange these pages functionally.
Actually, this software was designed as suitable with a license which create course
materials like books or other sources. For example, Wikipedia is the well-known
Social Networks: Although there are so many social networking sites, today the
most used of them are Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Google Plus (Demirsoy and
to this definition; social networking sites are web data-based services and they
provide their members to create a profile, to list others’ profiles in their profile, to
look others’ connection lists in system and to follow other members on internet
networking site means that it is people who are connected to each other with more
than one social relation and that is why they are connected to each other socially.
As for the lists of these relations, they are friendship, kinship, communication and
power. In fact, social networking sites create virtual groups to act together in terms
which mutual people come together for sharing their ideas, feelings, comments, is
named as social network or social networking sites (Demirsoy and Karakoç 2016).
People can form social groups and share every kind of written and visual materials
on these social networks and all implementations on these sites are free of charge.
Facebook: Facebook which provides people to communicate with others and share
information with each other is a social networking site. Beside this, it supplies
introducing themselves on a single page to its users and it also provides personal
information about its users (Demirsoy and Karakoç 2016). Contrary to web sites
which provides their users to chat and send messages; Facebook and Twitter
enables users to send and read short 140-character text messages, called “tweets”.
Registered users can read and post tweets, but unregistered users can only read
them. Users access Twitter through the website interface, SMS, or mobile device
been turning into turmoil and members can follow subjects according to their
domains and last discussions. Twitter has become one of the most popular and fast
social networking sites; it has realized an impulsive power role in social media so
far. Twitter transfers the events realized in daily life into virtual environments. By
doing this, Twitter carries real agendas of societies into social media.
2.1.3 The Advent of Social Media in Nigeria
was a springboard for social media in Nigeria. The gap in communication from a
others relied on ICT for their day-to-day activities. Agreeing to this (Nwabueze,
2014, p.3) said the advent of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
such as computers, digital broadcasting, satellite and cable television, the Internet
and World Wide Web (www) has contributed immensely in ensuring the
sophistication of the communication process and also bridging the gap between the
sender and the receiver. The internet has grown in Nigeria and it has helped to
strengthen the various social media platforms in Nigeria like Facebook, Instagram,
Twitter, WhatsApp, among others. Events and happenings around the globe can be
Social media have become popular among Nigerians (Adults, Youths and
Teenagers) and registration for membership is free with phones, computers and
handheld devices that can access the internet. A Nigerian has at least an account in
any of these social networking sites (Alade, 2017). With the level of social media
high.
others have seen Nigeria as a fertile ground to boom and expand their business and
Nigeria is a country rich in human and material resources with a huge population.
In 2019, there were 98.39 million active users compared to 2018 when the figure
was 94 million active users of the internet (Udodiong, 2019). Going with the
figure, internet usage and penetration is high; hence social media use in Nigeria is
penetration rates and that number will get even higher as Smartphone subscription
However, there have been growing concerns about the negative impact of social
media in our society due to its unique features that is different from traditional
media like newspaper, radio and television. Biswas, Ingle & Roy (2014) listed the
media is prone to hacking, responses from social media sites can lead to a
Okeke & Obi (2016) gave the negative aspect of social media as: disseminating
immoral conduct and lurid sex photo, the anonymity of sources, images and sounds
digitally manipulated, addictive nature of social media and bullying and digital
regulations, and these make users flood the social media with contents not minding
the implication it could cause. Youths are exposed to social vices, and many
addicted to it and abandon other important aspects of their lives (Olowe, 2018). In
Cynthia died after she and her once virtual friends needed to see flesh and blood,
following some periods of chatting on Facebook and her death was not only
contemplating slamming legislation that would check the excesses of internet users
(Ugochukwu, 2020). Most users of the social media indulge in harmful vices, and
this is not good for Nigeria because there are numerous benefits to be derived from
information and ideas at the level of society. In other words, the largeness and
complexity of today’s societies has made the mass media an inevitable platform for
Uzochukwu, Patricia & Ukueze 2014). Thus, through the mass media, the society
sees, assesses and understands herself. The media dependency theory of mass
communication recognizes this fact when it affirms that in our modern society, we
are increasingly dependent on the media to understand the social world and to act
meaningfully and effectively in it, and the higher this dependence the more
influence the media have on us (Baran, 2010, p.370). Therefore, it may be logical
to argue that what the society knows about herself at any point in time is likely to
come from the mass media. Such information and knowledge would of course
In Nigeria just like in other society, the mass media transmit ideas and new
information to a target audience. This implies that they are responsible for most of
the adjustments in the behavioral pattern of people in the society. The influence of
the mass media extends to almost every segment of the society that is exposed to
their programmes. In other words, the press serves as an agent of change, and as
the watchdog of the society is expected to play a part in ensuring transparency and
bribe handed out to a person to put pressure on him or her to do what the bribe
quarters that media practitioners are guilty of allegations of bribery and corruption
coverage of news events. Journalists are usually accused of biased reporting and
prejudice by members of the public because of their ignoring one of the most
important attributes of good journalism that is, objectivity. Corruption in the media
through generous offer of expensive gift items or through various forms of either
political/economic gratifications. At times, in a bid to get exclusive stories or
scoop, journalists may be tempted to give bribe most especially if such stories are
There is also the need to focus the anti-corruption searchlight on every sector of
Nigerian society most especially now that it has been established that corruption is
a serious problem in the nation. The media are at the vanguard of the struggle and
for the struggle to be meaningful, impactful and effective the state of health of
journalists as well as the media organizations they work for as regard their standing
succeed in the current battle depends largely on how effective the media would be.
realized this demand and some efforts have been channeled towards this in recent
times, it is pertinent to know how the corruption issue is being handled in most
2.1.5 Social Media and Its Impact in The Fight Against Corruption
The critical role social media play in Nigeria has led to awareness, engagement and
reaching out to the global community on issues that have destroyed Nigeria and
project us to the world in a bad light. From HASHTAG like #EndSARS and
various campaigns against corruption and other ills going on in Nigeria, it has
brought the attention of government and the world. In the words of (Asika, 2016),
social media allows this vast melting pot of Nigerians to express themselves in
many ways from memes, to blogs, videos to social media posts from public
many still need help to shape that voice and to learn how best to bring it to their
audience.
Social media platforms in Nigeria like Facebook and WhatsApp have witnessed
members of the various platforms utilize these platforms to share stories, report
events and most importunately expose the corruption that has damaged the
platforms. It started a campaign of #ENDSARS to tell Nigerians and the world that
a department of Nigeria Police charged with the protection of lives and properties
are indulging in extrajudicial killings and harassing the citizens they ought to
protect. The protest carried out online and in some states in Nigeria drew the
attention of the Federal Government and Nigeria. The then Acting President, Prof.
Yemi Osibanjo called for an immediate overhaul of SARS and Nigerians rejoiced
because their voices have been heard and something was going be done (Bwala,
2019). This indicates that social media effects change in Nigerian society by
Communication and media scholars have referred to social media as the fifth estate
of the realm because it reaches millions of users globally with the help of Internet.
In the words of (Nwabueze 2014, p.176), “the fifth estate of the realm is a concept
amenities are caused by years of corruption leaving the people with no option than
to survive amid, nothing thereby resulting to social unrest and social activism.
Social activism is the use of various social media platforms to organize protests,
rallies to enforce change in the society. With the new trend of organizing protest
online with Hashtags (#) symbols as the registration logo, people in their hundreds
sometimes thousands identify with social activism. In line with this, (Nwabueze
2014, p.178) views social media activism as the use of social media to mobilize
people for a social course. In 2012, Nigeria witnessed a massive social protest
organized by labour unions and civil societies that brought the country to a halt.
The rally saw the emergence of ‘#OccupyNigeria’ were drawn from social media
platforms like Facebook, twitter, blogs and the protest were characterized by
strikes and rallies (Hari, 2014). The protesters were angry that the Federal
price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from #65 to #141 based on the removal of
fuel subsidy. Social media platforms played a significant role in organizing and
expanding awareness among the general public and perhaps stimulating and
removing fuel subsidy as protests were increasing hence the need to maintain law
and order.
The fact that our education sector in Nigeria is bedridden with corruption leaves no
one in doubt because our government failed to address issues facing the industry.
However, social media has done a lot in exposing the rot in our universities by
posts, pictures and videos where users upload and share. The issue of sex for mark
Professor Richard Akindele negotiating sex for marks with one Monica Osetoba
and social media (Ugochukwu, 2020). When social media platforms helped to
circulate the case of Monica, it forced the authorities of OAU to set up a panel to
look into the allegation, and institutions like Independent Corrupt Practices and
other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and some NGOs came to Monica’s
asking Monica sexual gratification to pass her (Hanafi, 2020). One cannot dispute
The theoretical framework for this study was reviewed based on the following
theories.
The first systematic study about Agenda Setting Theory was conducted by
Maxwell Mac Combs and Donald Shaw in 1968 and this theory describes the
power of the news media to influence the salience of topics on the public agenda.
This theory of communication views the media (social media inclusive) as having
the capacity to set agenda for the media audience on what to think by continually
repeating news and events thereby placing importance on such stories. When users
of social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, among others share stories,
pictures and videos about corruption on a day-to-day format, importance are placed
on such stories. The position of social media users about crime is as a result of
what the platform has mirrored to them. Daily upload of stories and videos about
corruption sets agenda for the public because social media stories that are topical
go viral. The mass media move issues from press agenda to public programme.
proposes the premise that exposure is not enough; media content needs to be made
salient (significant) to the user before being processed and accepted. Agenda
setting changed the attention from what to “how” media effects work at
like uses and gratifications theory suggests, we often pick and choose what issues
to explore and evaluate from the pool of “important” issues determined by the
media. Of these, the more salient are more likely to be processed and accepted as
important. Specifically, people find most important those issues covered by the
media most often. The more media coverage a topic receives, the more salient it
becomes, and the more audience attention is funneled toward it (Sorin, 2010).
issues are important gives the media an edge to fight corruption since they can
easily lay emphasis on the atrocities being committed by public figures in the
Theory does not ascribe to the media the power to determine what we actually
think, but it does ascribe to them the power to determine what we are thinking
about’. The theory is relevant to this paper because the media can utilize the
radio and television. The power of the media to expose corrupt acts through the
elements of this theory will go a long way in reducing corrupt acts in the country.
If public figures know that their corrupt acts will be giving a lot of publicity, they
are likely to have a rethink before stealing public funds (Afolayan, 2012).
In addition, Demirsoy and Karakoç (2016) explained that people using social
not only news about their personal life but also news about social life and public
opinion into social media platforms. Social media has gained a big popularity
against traditional media in the last years and it can determine to its own agenda
and form the agenda of other social groups by providing personal areas to its
members. An event or idea can be turned into an important subject of social agenda
and all of these implementations can be distributed in a short time among the users.
Especially social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter etc. has started to take an
important place in daily life of people anymore. After the rapid spread of smart
phones in people’s daily life Twitter can form it original agenda with its “top trend
lists” because Twitter has a rapid message distribution among its members. Users
can speak or comment about a top trend subject with following it. If this subject is
very attractive, it can be distributed quickly although it has not news value. If this
subject has news value, people can read this subject in national press or even in
distributed in Twitter and this subject can form or set daily agenda of virtual
position of the argument was that technology has altered the way the media
theory explains the role of technology in shaping cultural orientation, values and
Social media is driven by the internet across the countries of the world, and it is a
valuable tool that will revolutionize the globe. Similarly, McQuail (as cited in
(i) communication theory is fundamental to society (ii) each technology has a bias
The technological determinism theory states that media technologies shape how
individuals in a society think, feel, act and how a society operates as we move from
that we learn, feel and think the way we do because of the message we receive
through the current technology that is available. (McLuhan 1962). The theory
have the power to transform the sensory capacity and therefore transform the way
explain as to whom or what could have a controlling power in human affairs. The
technological factors. New media are not only an addition to existing media, they
are also new technologies and therefore do have a deterministic factor as well.
Marshall McLuhan made a famous statement that “the medium is the message.”
This means that the medium used to communicate influences the mind of the
receiver. The introduction of news print, television and the internet have all shown
how technological advances have an impact on the society in which we live in.
2.3 REVIEW OF EMPIRICAL LITERATURE
The review of empirical literature for this study will consist of the following
media to agenda setting approach was a salient source of empirical literature for
this study. In this research work, the study was aimed to reveal that the Agenda
Setting Approach which still maintains its importance today and forms the
through Social Media. Literature review method was used in the study and the
studies in the literature which were executed in the field related to the
(2016) concluded that when appearing dates of internet and social media in
people’s life and their developments are taken in hand, it is seen that their user
numbers have been increasing regularly in a short time. This rapid increase in user
numbers proves the power of these concepts for affecting society and shaping
agenda of societies. Beside this, people can contact with everybody in every place
by using internet and social media and this situation has increased effectiveness of
influence in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. This study was structured to
examine how social media have helped in the fight against corruption. The internet
has helped the growth of social media in Nigeria because with Smartphone’s and
handheld devices, one can easily connect to the social media platform. Technology
determinism theory and Agenda-setting theory of communication were used for the
study. Library research method was adopted for the study and relevant information
about corruption and social media from journals, newspapers and books were
analyzed. This study concludes among others that social media are effective in the
fight against corruption. It exposes corrupt practices and persons and ensures that
persons indicted are prosecuted. The study recommends, among others that
government should effectively use social media handles and encourage whistle
Furthermore, Uzochukwu, Patricia and Ukueze (2014) carried out their study on
harnessing social media tools in the fight against corruption in Nigeria: challenges
and prospects. The study argues that social media have potentials for fighting
corruption however certain factors militates against its use in Nigeria. Situated
that the conventional mass media, due to their inherent ties with the political as
well as the economic forces in the society, are somewhat incapacitated from rising
social media is as a viable alternative, arguing that social media tools have what it
takes through serving as a platform for the citizenry to point out loopholes that
may make the system vulnerable to corruption; scrutinize the activities of their
leaders and report cases of corruption, all these without fear of victimization.
Nevertheless, given their anonymous nature, social media may have some
credibility burden that could hinder its effective use in the anti-corruption fight and
could as well pose the risk of malicious slander of character of innocent people.
Also, Sowunmi et al. (2010) examined the role of media in curbing corruption in
Nigeria as well as the problems encountered in the process of performing this role.
The findings from Sowunmi et al. (2010) revealed that corruption has been and
of the country in the comity of nations. The findings also revealed that poverty,
laws to protect journalist are the major obstacles to media in their fight against
In addition, Adeyemi, (2013) examined the state of the country’s media from the
perspective of media practitioners. The survey method was employed for the study.
Regardless of the efforts being made by various stakeholders in the media industry,
it was discovered that the media was largely corrupt. Even though over 64 % of
those sampled believed that acceptance of any form of gratifications was unethical,
over 75 % of the journalists engage in corrupt practices with impunity. More than
half of the 18 media outfits covered by the study are indifferent to certain
Finally, Halilu, Garba & Abdulmunin (2014) examined the coverage of corruption
issues by the Nigerian Newspapers. It sampled two Nigerian Dailies (Daily Sun
and New Nigerian Newspapers) for the period of one year June 2013 and May
2014 when corruption was believed to be at its highest peak in Nigeria. At the end
of the study, it was discovered that the newspapers did not indeed fulfill their
statutory responsibility of watch dogging the society. The coverage was not
significant compared to other stories like politics and economy; prominence was
also not given to the stories. It was also deduced that the stories are not in-depth as
there was little investigation and follow- up enough to set precedence for public
discourse. The study therefore suggests that the media embarks on massive
only expose corruption but to follow up the case to its logical prosecution.
public perception of the influence of social media in the fight against corruption in
Nigeria. These reviews provided the researcher with more insights and knowledge
about the topic. Some ideas were necessary to assist in designing the instruments
From the reviewed literatures, several gaps were identified. First, some of the
studies conducted as cited herein were carried out in foreign countries. The results
of these foreign studies might not be applicable to Nigeria and Lagos State though
they were still useful. Secondly, only a handful of Nigerian studies were observed
to have been conducted in relation to this present study, but there seem to be no
study in Lagos State that have examined public perception of the influence of
All these gaps identified above, makes this study different from all other existing
studies. Given the need for improved the fight against corruption which cannot be
will examine public perception of the influence of social media in the fight against
corruption in Nigeria.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The methodology includes research design, population of the study, sample and
The research design adopted for this study was descriptive survey research design
to evaluate public perception of the influence of social media in the fight against
corruption in Nigeria.
The population of this study consisted of the general public since social media is
used by everyone one and not associated with a particular set of people and also,
participants from the general public to partake in this study. The participants
The research instrument adopted for this study was Questionnaire on Public
which comprised of the respondent’s bio data and section B which comprised of
Validation of the research instrument was carried out to ensure that the instrument
was designed to measure exactly what it was supposed to measure. Face and
content validity was adopted for this study since it measured the degree to which
the sample of the items represented the content that the test was designed to
results of their responses obtained was not used for the study. However, their
responses were used to fine-tune the research instrument which was administered
Reliability analysis was used to measure both consistency and internal stability of
data. Meanwhile, the reliability test was conducted using Cronbach Alpha test of
SPSS measuring the inter-item consistency and the coefficient that reflects how
well items in a set are positively correlated to one another. Cronbach’s Alpha that
are less than 0.6 are generally considered to be poor, those in the 0.7 range to be
acceptable, and those over 0.8 to be good; the closer the reliability coefficient gets
The data from the retrieved questionnaire will be analyzed using descriptive
This chapter deals with the presentation of the results of analysis of respondents’
responses to the questionnaire developed by the researcher for this study. This
chapter also entails the discussion of the findings from the results of the data
analyzed.
Table 1 showed the results for the distribution of respondents’ demographic data
which included the age, marital status, educational qualifications, religion and
occupation. The results showed that (11.3%) of the respondents were less than
respondents were between the age of 31-40years and (22%) were 41years and
above. The result for respondents’ responses to marital status showed that (33.3%)
of the respondents are single while (20%) are married, (13.3%) are divorced,
(26.7%) are cohabiting and the remaining (6.7%) are widowed. Furthermore,
have primary education, (21.3%) have secondary education, (26.7%) have tertiary
education, (13.3%) have vocational education while the remaining (26.7%) have
showed that (48%) are Christians, (38.7%) are Muslims, (9.3%) are traditionalists
while the remaining (4%) belong to other religion. Finally, the results of
students, (40%) are businessmen/women, (23.3%) are civil servants while the
Table 2.1: Public Opinion on the Influence of Social Media in the Fight
Table 2.1 showed the results for respondents view to the statements on public
opinion on the influence of social media in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
The results showed that (13.3%) of the respondents were of the opinion that social
opined that the influence of social media in fighting corruption is satisfactory while
the remaining respondents (20%) can’t say. Also, the results for the public opinion
about the campaign of corruption in social media revealed that (10%) of the
respondents opined that the campaign is very effective, (13.3%) opined that the
campaign is effective, (50%) opined that the campaign is not effective while the
corruption showed that (31.3%) opined that social media is very transparent in
while the remaining (33.3%) can’t say. Furthermore, respondents’ opinion about
were of the opinion that social media is very accountable in fighting corruption,
remaining (10%) opined that social media is not accountable in fighting corruption.
Finally, respondents opinion about the engagement of social media in the fight
against corruption showed that (37.3%) were of the opinion that the engagement of
social media in the fight against corruption has been very effective, (16%) opined
that social media engagement in fighting corruption is not effective while the
remaining (33.3%) opined that social media engagement in the fight against
Table 2.2: Extent to Which Social Media Have Helped Reduced Corruption in
Nigeria
Table 2.2 showed the results for respondents view to the statements on the extent
to which social media have helped reduced corruption in Nigeria. The results
showed that (41.4%) of the public Agreed that due to name call out of corrupt
public opinion about the extent to which social media have helped reduced
corruption in Nigeria revealed that (8%) of the respondents were of the opinion
that social media have helped reduced corruption in Nigeria to a large extent,
(33.3%) opined that it is to a minimum extent, (9.3%) opined that the extent is
satisfactory while the remaining (49.3%) can’t say. In addition, respondents view
on social media reports about corrupt activities in Nigeria by the public on social
media platforms showed that (38.7%) Agreed that social media reports have helped
results on public opinion about the extent to which social media activism helped
reduce corruption in Nigeria revealed that (8%) of the respondents were of the
opinion that social media activism have helped reduce corruption in Nigeria to a
large extent, (46.7%) opined that it is to a minimum extent, (9.3%) opined that the
extent is satisfactory while the remaining (36%) can’t say. Finally, respondents
view on the democratization impact of social media on the public showed that
(38.7%) Agreed that it has helped reduce corruption in Nigeria, while the majority
(61.3%) Disagreed.
Research Question Three: what is the opinion of the public on what constitutes
corruption in Nigeria?
S/ SA A D SD Total
Statement
N
1 2 4 5
1 Monetary bribe is the major F 48 36 35 31 150
constituent of corruption in Nigeria.
% 32 24 23.3 20.7 100
A- Agreed
D- Disagreed
opinion on what constitutes corruption in Nigeria. The results showed that majority
(56%) of the public Agreed that monetary bribe is the major constituent of
Nigeria showed that (38%%) of the public Agreed while the majority (62%)
majority (68.6%) of the public Agreed that influence peddling is another major
(38.7%) of the public Agreed that abuse of responsibilities is one of the major
The study was focused on evaluating public perception on the influence of social
media in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. Public perception and influence of
social media were used as the independent variable while the fight against
corruption was used as the dependent variable. Three research questions were
formulated to guide this study and the results of the analysis are discussed in
subsequent paragraphs.
The results in Table 2.1 showed the results for public opinion on the influence of
social media in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. From Table 2.1, majority
(46.7%) of the public opined that social media has a positive influence in fighting
corruption in Nigeria. Also, majority (50%) of the public opined that the campaign
of corruption in social media has not been effective. In addition, majority (33.3%)
of the public can’t say about the transparency of social media in fighting corruption
although a close number of respondents (31.3%) were of the opinion that social
media have been very transparent in the fight against corruption. However,
majority (37.3%) opined that the engagement of social media in fighting corruption
has been very effective. Therefore, based on the findings from the result to
research question one, the opinion of the public has shown that social media has an
influence in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. Even though the campaign to
fight against corruption on social media has not been effective. Though the public
can’t certainly say that social media has been very transparent nevertheless, the
engagement of social media in the fight against corruption has been very effective.
influence in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. the researcher concluded that
among others that social media are effective in the fight against corruption in
Nigeria.
Similarly, Table 2.2 showed the results for the extent to which social media have
helped reduce corruption in Nigeria. The results showed that majority (58.7%) of
the public Disagreed that due to name call out of corrupt people on social media
public can’t say the extent to which social media have helped reduce corruption in
Nigeria. In addition, majority (61.3%) of the public Disagreed that social media
reports about corrupt activities in Nigeria by the public on social media platforms
have helped reduced corruption in Nigeria. However, majority (46.7%) opined that
Also, majority (61.3%) of the public Disagreed that due to the democratization
impact of social media on the public, corruption in Nigeria has been reduced.
Therefore, based on the above findings, social media have only helped reduced
Uzochukwu, Patricia and Ukueze (2014) on harnessing social media tools in the
argues that social media have potentials for fighting corruption however certain
corruption in Nigeria. Majority (56%) of the public Agreed that monetary bribe is a
corruption in Nigeria. Therefore, based on the findings from the result to research
question three, the opinion of the public has shown that monetary bribe,
Nnaane (2013) on public perception and role of mass media in the fight against
advance fee fraud (419) and election rigging are what the public perceive to
5.1 Summary
The study examined public perception of the influence of social media in the fight
against corruption in Nigeria. The variables as depicted for the study consisted of
public perception and social media both serving as the independent variables for
this study while the fight against corruption was used as the dependent variable.
Chapter one consisted of the background to the study, statement of the problem,
specific objectives and research questions were raised in chapter one to guide the
study. Also, the chapter two for the study entailed the review of related literature
approach to carry out this study. The chapter three was made up of the
methodology for this study which included the research design, population of the
study, sample and sampling technique, research instrument, validity, reliability and
the method of data analysis for this study. Furthermore, the chapter four for this
study entailed the presentation of analysis and discussion of findings for this study.
The data from the retrieved questionnaire which was the instrument used for data
collection were analyzed and interpreted in this chapter. In summary, the findings
for this study as shown in chapter four revealed that social media has an influence
in the fight against corruption in Nigeria but only to a minimum extent while
privileges are the major constituents of corruption in Nigeria. Finally, the chapter
five entails the summary, conclusions, recommendations and suggestion for further
studies.
5.2 Conclusions
It is no doubt that corruption in Nigeria is now like a cankerworm that has eaten
deep into all sectors of the Nigerian system indicating that even when efforts are
being made to curb this menace, the system itself will look for a way to prevent it.
Notwithstanding, from the findings of this research, the study concluded that social
media has had a positive influence in the fight against corruption in Nigeria, social
media campaign towards the fight against corruption in Nigeria have not been
social media have been very engaging in the fight against corruption in Nigeria and
social media activism as well needs to be encouraged to enable the public create
more awareness as regards the corrupt actions of some individuals in the country.
5.3 Recommendations
Based on the findings of this research, the following recommendations are made:
enable them become more aware of the corrupt practices taking place in the
country.
2. Nigerians should see social media as a platform that gives them the
opportunity to air their grief towards the corrupt practices that is currently
need to employ social media as one of the tools to fight corruption in the
country.
4. The government should try to create platforms on social media to enable the
act on time.
In conclusion, more research work can be done on this aspect of study with an
increased population and sample size as it will allow for more public opinions
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APPENDIX
This questionnaire is strictly for research purpose. Your response to each item in
this questionnaire will be highly appreciated. Your responses are confidential and
will be used only for the purpose of this study. There is no right or wrong answer.
Feel free to provide your responses as it will be treated with utmost confidentiality.
Please tick (√) to the option that best describes your feelings about the following statements
( ) e) No Formal Education
( ) d) Others ( )
Servant ( ) d) Others ( )
SECTION B:
Public Perception of The Influence of Social Media in The Fight Against
Corruption in Nigeria
Key: from the options SA (Strongly Agree), A (Agree), D (Disagree) and SD
(Strongly Disagree). Tick (√) the one that best satisfies your opinion on each item.
Public Opinion on The Influence of Social Media in The Fight Against
Corruption in Nigeria
1. What is your opinion about the influence of social media in fighting
corruption in Nigeria? (a) No Influence (b) Positive Influence (c)
Satisfactory Influence (d) Can’t Say
2. What is your opinion about campaign of corruption in the social media? (a)
Very Effective (b) Effective (c) Not Effective (d) Challenging
3. What is your opinion about transparency of social media in fighting
corruption? (a) Very Transparent (b) Vindictive (c) Blackmailing (d) Can’t
Say
4. What is your opinion about the accountability of social media in fighting
corruption? (a) Very Accountable (b) Accountable (c) Discriminating (d)
Not Accountable
5. What is your opinion about the engagement of social media in the fight
against corruption? (a) Very Effective (b) Effective (c) Not Effective (d)
Challenging
Public Opinion on The Extent to Which Social Media Have Helped Reduced
Corruption in Nigeria
6. Due to name call out of corrupt people on social media platforms, it has
helped reduce corruption in Nigeria. (a) Strongly Agree (b) Agree (c)
Disagree (d) Strongly Disagree
7. To what extent have social media helped reduce corruption in Nigeria? (a)
Large Extent (b) Minimum Extent (c) Satisfactory Extent (d) Can’t Say
8. Social media reports about corrupt activities in Nigeria by the public on
social media platforms have helped reduced corruption in Nigeria. (a)
Strongly Agree (b) Agree (c) Disagree (d) Strongly Disagree
9. To what extent have social media activism helped reduce corruption in
Nigeria? (a) Large extent (b) Minimum Extent (c) Satisfactory Extent (d)
Can’t Say
10.Due to the democratization impact of social media on the public, corruption
in Nigeria has been reduced. (a) Strongly Agree (b) Agree (c) Disagree (d)
Strongly Disagree