Challenges of Female Activists and the Use of Social Media for 2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria
Main Article Content
Abstract
Social media have galvanising impact on feminists’ issues, serving as tools for political communication and mobilisation. In amplifying gender equity in political seats, Nigerian female activists were often subjected to multiple barriers, hindering the attainment of the SDG5. Previous studies in communication of gender equity have focused on how the Nigerian female activists utilised the use of social media to raise this call. However, there is a dearth of literature on the challenges encountered by female activists while engaging social media for more women participation in politics. This study was, therefore, designed to examine the challenges encountered by female activists in the use of Social Media for 2023 Presidential election in Nigeria, with a view to establishing the extent of difficulties faced. Uses and Gratification and Patriarchy Hegemony theories were used as the framework while the qualitative design was adopted. Datareportal 44.7 percent of Nigeria’s social media users were female out of which existed Nigerian female activists. Fifteen female activists were purposively selected with snowball sampling also adopted. In-depth interview was adopted in eliciting responses using interview guide as research instrument. The findings reveal the female activists encountered cyber bullying and online threats, disinformation and misinformation, tribal bullying and patriarchal dominance, defamatory comments, hacking and account and suspension to the extent of having technical and financial barriers.
Article Details
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Idowu, B. O., Moshood Babatunde Abdul-Wasi, & Olayinka Babatunde Adebogun. (2026). Challenges of Female Activists and the Use of Social Media for 2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 6(1), 1-17. Retrieved from https://biarjournal.com/index.php/polit/article/view/1459
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References
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https//doi.org/10.1177/019685998701100105
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Msughter, A. E. (2025). Comparative study of hate speech in the 2015 and 2019 general elections in three selected newspapers in Nigeria. Journal of Asian and African Studies, 60(5), 2907-2921.
Nweke, I. (2023). Influence of Social Media Political Campaign on the choice of candidates among the undergraduates of university SSSS of Benin in the 2023 General Elections. International journal of international Relations, Media and Mass Communication Studies, 1(2), 25-36.
Okorie, N., & Namtira, B. (2017). Measuring Media Campaigns Effectiveness for Environmental Health for Sustainable Development. Journal of Health Management, 19(4), 553-567. https://doi.org/10.1177/0972063417727619.
Olubela, (2023). Nigerian Women’s Participation in Politics: Historical and Social Acceptance Issues. African Social Science Review. Vol.12. No1, Article 5. https://digitalscholarship.tsu.edu/assr/vol.12/iss1/5.
Olusola, O. (2023). Twitter Sentiment Analysis of Lagos State 2023 Gubernitorial Election using BERT. Journal of Advanced Research in Social Sciences.
Omontese, D. (2023). Social Media and Women Empowerment in Nigeria: A Study of the #BreakTheBias Campaign on Facebook.
Oreoluwa, P. A., Vitalis, P. O., Nneka, A. Q., Collins-Dike, J., & Ridwan, M. (2024). Online Harassment of Female Journalist in Lagos State. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 4(3), 162-174.
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Owens-Ibie, N., & Aondover, E. M. (2025). Issues in Contemporary Journalism Education and Practice in Nigeria: Volume 1 (Vol. 1). Vernon Press.
Oyesomi K., Okorie, N.& Omole, F. (2014). How Sociable are Women on Social Media? An Experimental Study on Nigerian Women. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences, 4(2), 3-7. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/28715759
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Rothfischer, K. (2021). Social Media: Key Opinion Leaders of the Future. Journal of European CME. Vol 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/21614083.2021.2014094.
SAGE Publications London, Vol.1(1): 79-95.
Severin, D. (2008). Democracy and Political Participation: An Introduction to Human & Development Capability. 5(5), 11-15.
Steeves, L. (1987) & Smith, M. C. (1987). Class and Gender in Prime-Time Television Entertainment: Observations from a Socialist Feminist Perspective.
Stieglitz, S. (2014). Social Media and Political Communication: A Social Media Analytics Framework. Doi: 10.1007/S13278-012-0079-3.
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Tsuria, R., &Folorunsho, F. An Analysis of Cyberbullying Against Nigerian Women: A Study of Ahmadu Bello University Students.
Umeugo, A. (2016). A Diffusion Study of How a Hashtag Campaign can Save an Economy. Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies. www.googlescholar.com.
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USF Tampa Graduate Thesis and Dissertations
Uwalaka, T. (2020). Clicktivism and political engagement in Nigeria. The Nigerian journal of communication, 17(1).
Victor, V. O., Othman, M. F., & Osman, N. (2021). Women Political Participation in Africa and Asia: Prospects and Challenges. Journal of Governance and Development (JGD), 17(1).
Vitalis, P. O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Okuneye, A. P. (2023). Understanding advertising in the era of social media. Information System and Smart City, 3(1), 502-502.
Wardle, C., & Derakhshan, H. (2017). Information disorder: Toward an interdisciplinary framework for research and policymaking (Vol. 27, pp. 1-107). Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
Wimmer, R. D., & Dominick, J. R. (2006). Mass Media Research. Cengage Learning.
Women New United Nations, (2023), www.un.org,SDG-Action-Weekend.
Zeigler, S. (2023), Feminist Theory: Free Speech. Center at Middle Tennessee State University.
Zoaka, D. (2021). Twitter and Millennial Participation in Voting during Nigeria’s 2015 Presidential Elections.
Akanni, T. (2024). From Kudi Abiola Corner To Dobale For Democracy. DailyTrust news. 18/06/2024.
Aondover, E. M., Aondover, P. O., Adewale, O. C., Falobi, F., & Maiwada, A. A. (2024). Contextual Issues Surrounding Investigative Journalism in Nigeria. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 4(4), 226-239.
Aondover, E. M., Okuneye, A. P., & Onyejelem, T. E. (2024). Application of new media in peace building and conflict resolution in Nigeria. Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies, 6(1), 8.
Aondover, E. M., Tosin, Y. A. N., Akin-Odukoya, O. O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Exploring the application of social media in governance in Nigeria. SIASAT, 10(1), 30-43.
Aondover, P. O., Aondover, E. M., & Babele, A. M. (2022). Two nations, same technology, different outcomes: Analysis of technology application in Africa and America. Journal of Educational Research and Review, 1(1), 001-008.
Aondover, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Adewale, O. C., Akin-Odukoya, O. O., & Maradun, L. U. (2024). Media Portrayal of Female Celebrities in the Nigerian Press. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 11(4), 259-272.
Arijeniwa, A., & Nwaoboli, E. P. (2023). Setting Agenda for Public Discourse: Examining the Impact of Social Media on Political Participation amongst Nigerian Youths. Vol (10):36-53.
Arowolo, D., & Aluko, F. (2010). Women and political Participation in Nigeria. European Journal of social Sciences. Vol (4).
Asemah, E., & Edegoh, L. (2012). New Media and Political Advertising in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges. African Research Review, 6(4).
Ayotola, A., & Adedeji, T. (2009). The Relationship between Gender, Age, Mental Ability, Anxiety, Mathematics Self-Efficacy and Achievement in Mathematics. Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences, 4, 113-124.
Di Fátima, B., Munoriyarwa, A., Gilliland, A., Msughter, A. E., Vizcaíno-Verdú, A., Gökaliler, E., ... & de Sousa, V. (2023). Hate speech on social media: A global approach. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador.
Dow, B. J & Condit, C. M. (2005). The State of the Art in Feminist Scholarship in Communication. International communication Association. Ppg. 448.
Eesuola, O. (2017). Behavioural Examination of Activism: Nigerian Women and Preparedness for Accompanying Social Change of Gender Equality. International Journal of Language, Literature and Gender Studies (LALIGENS), Bahir Dar-Ethiopia. Vol.6 (1), 1-13. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/laligens.v6il.i
https//doi.org/10.1177/019685998701100105
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/9915.
Iloh, E. C., & Alumona, I. M., (2009). Electoral Process and Gender Discrimination in Nigeria: A Case Study of 2003 And 2007 General Elections.
Jude, C. A. (2023). Social Media Influencers and Public Opinion Formation in Nigeria. https://nnn.ng/2023-elections-groups-partners-launch-project-to-dicsourse.
Kaluarachchi, Y., Mendis, A. & Thayaparan, M. (2020). Gender and Disability Inclusion in Post-Disaster Rebuilding “Build Back Better” Programmes in Sri-Lanka.
Lorber, J. (2013). Using Gender to Undo Gender: A Feminist Degendering Movement.
Maradun, L. U., Yar’Adua, S. M., & Msughter, A. E. (2021). Perceived value of social media in the# EndSARS’protest in Nigeria. International Journal of English Literature and Culture, 9(3), 69-80.
Marlien, T., Rudu, M., & Jhon, Z. (2022). The influence of Patriarchal Culture, Motivation and Image on Women’s Political Participation in the Regional Representatives Council of North Sulawesi Province. International Journal Papier Public Review 3(4): 15-26. Doi: 1047667/ijppr.v3i4.177.
Moropefoluwa, O. J. Aondover, E. M. Falobi, F. (2024). Assessment of broadcast media in mobilizing women for political participation in Lagos State. Journal of Policy and Society. 2(1): 1511. https://doi.org/10.59400/jps1511.
Msughter, A. E. (2025). Comparative study of hate speech in the 2015 and 2019 general elections in three selected newspapers in Nigeria. Journal of Asian and African Studies, 60(5), 2907-2921.
Nweke, I. (2023). Influence of Social Media Political Campaign on the choice of candidates among the undergraduates of university SSSS of Benin in the 2023 General Elections. International journal of international Relations, Media and Mass Communication Studies, 1(2), 25-36.
Okorie, N., & Namtira, B. (2017). Measuring Media Campaigns Effectiveness for Environmental Health for Sustainable Development. Journal of Health Management, 19(4), 553-567. https://doi.org/10.1177/0972063417727619.
Olubela, (2023). Nigerian Women’s Participation in Politics: Historical and Social Acceptance Issues. African Social Science Review. Vol.12. No1, Article 5. https://digitalscholarship.tsu.edu/assr/vol.12/iss1/5.
Olusola, O. (2023). Twitter Sentiment Analysis of Lagos State 2023 Gubernitorial Election using BERT. Journal of Advanced Research in Social Sciences.
Omontese, D. (2023). Social Media and Women Empowerment in Nigeria: A Study of the #BreakTheBias Campaign on Facebook.
Oreoluwa, P. A., Vitalis, P. O., Nneka, A. Q., Collins-Dike, J., & Ridwan, M. (2024). Online Harassment of Female Journalist in Lagos State. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 4(3), 162-174.
Osaghae, E. E., &Suberu, R. T. (2005). A history of identities, violence, and stability in Nigeria. Centre for Research on Inequality, Human Security and Ethnicity.
Oso, L. (2022). Reconstructing Nigeria’s Election Campaign Atmosphere in a Time of Conflicting National Unity and Information Pollution”.
Owens-Ibie, N., & Aondover, E. M. (2025). Issues in Contemporary Journalism Education and Practice in Nigeria: Volume 1 (Vol. 1). Vernon Press.
Oyesomi K., Okorie, N.& Omole, F. (2014). How Sociable are Women on Social Media? An Experimental Study on Nigerian Women. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences, 4(2), 3-7. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/28715759
Roel, O. L., & Courtney, M., & Frances, W. (2023). Norms to Shift Health – Related Norms among Adolescents and Young Adults on social media. Review of Communication Research, 11(1), 127- 149. https://doi.org/10.5680/RCR..5
Rothfischer, K. (2021). Social Media: Key Opinion Leaders of the Future. Journal of European CME. Vol 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/21614083.2021.2014094.
SAGE Publications London, Vol.1(1): 79-95.
Severin, D. (2008). Democracy and Political Participation: An Introduction to Human & Development Capability. 5(5), 11-15.
Steeves, L. (1987) & Smith, M. C. (1987). Class and Gender in Prime-Time Television Entertainment: Observations from a Socialist Feminist Perspective.
Stieglitz, S. (2014). Social Media and Political Communication: A Social Media Analytics Framework. Doi: 10.1007/S13278-012-0079-3.
Sweetser, K. D. & Lariscy, R. W. (2008). Candidates Make Good Friends: An Analysis of Candidates’ Uses of Facebook. DOI: 10.1080/15531180802178687.
Thompson, J. B. (1993). The Theory of Public Sphere: Theory, Culture & Society, SAGE, London. Vol.10. pp 173-189. https://doi.org/10.1177/026327693010003008
Tsuria, R., &Folorunsho, F. An Analysis of Cyberbullying Against Nigerian Women: A Study of Ahmadu Bello University Students.
Umeugo, A. (2016). A Diffusion Study of How a Hashtag Campaign can Save an Economy. Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies. www.googlescholar.com.
UNwomen Publications (2023). Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot.
USF Tampa Graduate Thesis and Dissertations
Uwalaka, T. (2020). Clicktivism and political engagement in Nigeria. The Nigerian journal of communication, 17(1).
Victor, V. O., Othman, M. F., & Osman, N. (2021). Women Political Participation in Africa and Asia: Prospects and Challenges. Journal of Governance and Development (JGD), 17(1).
Vitalis, P. O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Okuneye, A. P. (2023). Understanding advertising in the era of social media. Information System and Smart City, 3(1), 502-502.
Wardle, C., & Derakhshan, H. (2017). Information disorder: Toward an interdisciplinary framework for research and policymaking (Vol. 27, pp. 1-107). Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
Wimmer, R. D., & Dominick, J. R. (2006). Mass Media Research. Cengage Learning.
Women New United Nations, (2023), www.un.org,SDG-Action-Weekend.
Zeigler, S. (2023), Feminist Theory: Free Speech. Center at Middle Tennessee State University.
Zoaka, D. (2021). Twitter and Millennial Participation in Voting during Nigeria’s 2015 Presidential Elections.