How University of Ilorin Undergraduates Perceive Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission's Social Media use for Citizens' Engagement

Abstract

Using mixed method with questionnaire and in-depth interview as instruments of data collection, a study was carried out with the objective of finding out undergraduates' perception of the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) deployment of social media to engage citizens. Population of the study was 44,919 undergraduates at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria from which a sample of 386 was drawn for the quantitative aspect and fifteen informants for the qualitative aspect. The quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 21 version while responses of informants were recorded and transcribed by the researchers. Findings showed that undergraduates, who are active users of social media perceived messages the electoral body posted as untrustworthy. In addition, the body lacked visibility on social media. The study concluded that INEC's use of social media for citizens' engagement was in response to the demand of the contemporary society which social media cannot be ignored. The study recommended the need for INEC to be more aggressive in social media use as well as build public trust through prompt responses to issues and allegations.