Influence of Social Media in the Mobilization of Youths for the EndSARs Protest
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The primary aim of this study is to find out the influence of social media in mobilizing youth for the Endsars protest with a specific focus on Lagos State University students. Specifically, the study seeks to:
- Find out how social media contributed to the 2020 EndSARS protest in Nigeria.
- To ascertain if social media played a significant role in mobilizing youth for the Endsars protest in Nigeria.
- To examine the influence of social media in mobilizing youth for Endsars protest
- To investigate how social media particularly Facebook was used to mobilise youth for Endsars protest.
- To study whether the Freedom of Information Act empowered social media users to criticize abuse of power
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The Nigerian youth #EndSARs# peaceful protests: A brief background
The hashtag, ‘#EndSARs#’, first appeared on Twitter in 2017. After that, the hashtag gradually and famously became a social movement in Nigeria. However, the social movement took momentum when a video went viral of SARs officials shooting a young man in a white SUV and stealing his car, leaving him dead on the road. The social media reports of SARS abusing their power and victimizing citizens. The primary targets were the young and the rich in possession of iPhone, laptops, own cars, well dressed and possessed expensive things. People were violated, and privacy invaded. The SARS also invade taxpayer’s privacy by checking individual’s phones without their consent. Most citizens wake up daily with the fear of being harassed and victimized or probably get shot. Although the government attempted to redress the SARS policy by disbanding and recognizing the unit multiple times and at the same time passing laws that will mitigate the inhumane activities and police brutality, yet the units’ torture of the citizens, prevails. The Nigerian #EndSARs# protests were led purely by the Nigerian youths without any formal leadership structure or mentoring but fully fuelled using social media. It is assumed that youths in Nigeria represent most of the population and are believed to be future generations. Despite this, the future of Nigerian youth seems dark and uncertain. Meanwhile, there have been many reports on the role of SARs Police in intimidating and harassing every average Nigerian youth. Initially, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was a particular unit from the Nigerian Police Force established in 1992 to reduce the threats of armed robbers and reduce the rate of gun violence in the country. Although the goal was mainly achieved, the act has been conducted in inhumane ways. The social media reports of SARS abusing their power and victimizing citizens, most especially the youth and young professionals, were alarming. Even though the Nigerian Inspector General of Police further announced new policies and changes that would be implemented to reform SARS; nevertheless questions on proper implementation of measures highlighted are still being debated.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine influence of social media in the mobilization of youths for the ENDSARS protest. Students of University of Lagos form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain influence of social media in the mobilization of youths for the ENDSARS protest. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of influence of social media in the mobilization of youths for the ENDSARS protest
Summary
This study was on influence of social media in the mobilization of youths for the ENDSARS protest. Three objectives were raised which included: Find out how social media contributed to the 2020 EndSARS protest in Nigeria, to ascertain if social media played a significant role in mobilizing youth for the Endsars protest in Nigeria, to examine the influence of social media in mobilizing youth for Endsars protest, to investigate how social media particularly Facebook was used to mobilise youth for Endsars protest and to study whether the Freedom of Information Act empowered social media users to criticize abuse of power. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from students of University of Uyo. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
This study has shown that social media is not only for entertainment; rather it can be used to mobilize and effect social change in the society. The technology that drives social media keeps getting better and users increase daily especially the youths. The Ughelli incident that triggered the EndSARS agenda in Nigeria was organized on social media and the #EndSARS was the symbol across various social media platforms. Anchored on three communication theories namely; framing theory, social category theory and technology determinism theory. Findings from the study revealed that social media framing on EndSARS protest motivated the youths across the country to join the protest that lasted for two weeks. Also, the study found that social media framing contributed to the protest across the country and the EndSARS agenda projected the image of Nigeria police force in the negative. Finally, social media has come to stay and youths can rightly deploy it so that their voices can be heard.
Recommendation
Government and its agencies should investigate and sanction reports about them on social media platform.
- Government should encourage its citizens to always speak up whenever there rights are infringed on through appropriate channels and various social media platforms.
- Social media campaigns should be organized across social media platforms to help build a better image for the Nigeria Police Force.
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