Social Media Content Preferences and Political Participation among Nigerian Youths

Authors

  • Mande Ande Mande University of Ilorin
  • Lambe Kayode Mustapha University of Ilorin
  • Bahiyah Omar Universiti Sains Malaysia
  • Maryam Lasisi Mustapha University of Ilorin
  • Ismail Sheikh Yusuf Ahmed Qatar University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21018/rjcpr.2022.1.335

Keywords:

social media, news preference, political efficacy, political participation, Nigerian youths

Abstract

This study examines the influence of social media content preferences on political participation in Nigeria’s relatively nascent democracy. Due to mixed conclusions on the influence of news and entertainment preferences on political participation, we sampled 434 youths aged 18-35 in a Nigerian northern state, to investigate the differential influence of diverse social media content consumption on political participation. Incorporating the moderating and mediating influences of political efficacy and incidental news exposure, findings confirm that news and entertainment preferences are positive, significant predictors of political participation among respondents. While political efficacy moderated the influence of news preference on political participation, incidental news exposure did not mediate the influence of entertainment preference on political participation. We recommend further investigation into the influence of content preferences on political participation among Nigerian youths who constitute considerable members of the nation’s electorate.

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Published

2022-04-01

How to Cite

Mande, M. A., Mustapha, L. K., Omar, B., Mustapha, M. L., & Ahmed, I. S. Y. (2022). Social Media Content Preferences and Political Participation among Nigerian Youths. Romanian Journal of Communication and Public Relations, 24(1), 7–23. https://doi.org/10.21018/rjcpr.2022.1.335

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Section

Articles