INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON POLITICAL EDUCATION AND ACTIVISM AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA

Abstract

The study examined the influence of social media on political education and activism among

undergraduates in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Three research questions guided the study.

The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised

25, 000 undergraduates in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. A sample size of 400

undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka was selected for the study using simple

random and non-proportionate sampling techniques. The instrument used for data collection was

a structured questionnaire titled "Influence of Social Media on Political Education and Activism

among undergraduates Questionnaire (ISMPEUQ)". The instrument was validated by one expert

in the Department of Educational Foundations and two experts in the Department of Political

Science in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The reliability of the instrument was established

using Cronbach Alpha which yielded a reliability index of 0.82, 0.80 and 0.81 with an overall

reliability coefficient of. 0.81. The collected data were analyzed using mean scores. The findings

of the study revealed that social media is highly used by undergraduates in Nnamdi Azikiwe

University, Awka and they also utilize it for political activism. The study also revealed that social

media influences political education among undergraduates in Nnamdi Azikiwe University,

Awka by creating a platform where students follow political organizations/activists, engaging in

political discussions among others. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that

the University should develop workshops or structured programs that guide students on

effectively utilizing social media for political education among others.