A Critical Discourse Study of Gender Representation in Nigeria’s Digital Media; Focus on X (formerly Twitter)

The media, as a powerful social institution, plays a crucial role in shaping public perceptions and reinforcing or challenging societal norms, particularly in relation to gender. In Nigeria’s dynamic media landscape, traditional gender roles continue to intersect with modern narratives, often resulting in persistent gender stereotypes. This study investigates how gender is represented in Nigerian media discourse, specifically on X (formerly Twitter), where public conversations both reflect and influence societal attitudes. Despite increased awareness of gender equity, Nigerian media texts still frequently portray regressive gender ideologies. The problem lies in the subtle yet powerful use of language that reinforces traditional gender roles and marginalises progressive representations. Such portrayals contribute to the continued dominance of patriarchal norms in both public and private spheres. Employing a qualitative research approach, this study adopts Norman Fairclough’s Three-Dimensional Model of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to examine selected tweets from Nigerian media outlets, influencers, and public users. Ten tweets were sampled purposively, focusing on gender-related hashtags and discourse. The findings reveal that language in media tweets is instrumental in constructing societal perceptions of gender. While many expressions uphold gender stereotypes and romanticise traditional roles, others challenge these norms by promoting emotional literacy, gender equity, and social critique. The analysis highlights the contested nature of digital media as a space where both dominant and resistant gender ideologies coexist and compete for influence. In conclusion, the study affirms that discourse is a key site of ideological struggle. Social media users and media professionals are not passive participants but active agents in shaping public understanding of gender. The research calls for gender-sensitive language use, content regulation, and media literacy initiatives to foster a more inclusive and equitable media environment in Nigeria.