The Impact of Social Media Influencers on the Youth Political Participation in the 2023 General Elections in Nigeria (a Study of Lens Polytechnic Students)

ABSTRACT The research focus on the influence of social media on political participation of youths in tertiary institutions. It is a study on knowing how social media shape the life style of youths in political participation. The rise of social media has significantly transformed political engagement, particularly among youths. In Nigeria, the 2023 general elections marked a critical turning point where digital platforms played a vital role in shaping political discourse, mobilization, and participation. Among the key drivers of this shift were social media influencers individuals with significant followings who leveraged their platforms to shape public opinions and encourage youth involvement in the electoral process. Despite efforts to increase youth involvement in politics, voter turnout among Nigerian youths has historically been low. Several factors, including political disillusionment, lack of trust in electoral institutions, and inadequate civic education, have contributed to this trend. The objectives of this research are to: to measure the level of awareness of youths in Offa on voters’ registration through social media; to find out if youths in Offa involves in political campaign via social media; to measure the extent to which social media prompt youths in Offa in Kwara south in participating in electioneering; to examine if social media determines the choice of aspirant youths in Offa vote for; to know if social media is an avenue for youths in Offa in Kwara state to debates on political issues. This research work adopts survey research method. The populations of this study are youths in Offa Kwara State, the Sample size for this study is 382, the data collection instruments used is questionnaire. The method used in the presentation/analysis and interpretation of data collected is statistical methods which are the use of frequency tables and simple percentage. The findings of the study revealed that the social media influencers have impact on youth political participation in Nigeria, social media influencers has positive impact on your level of political participation in Nigeria, youths in Offa participate in 2023 general election through social media influencers, social media influencers educate and mobilize youths in Offa on their civic responsibilities. This research concludes that youths in Offa participate in 2023 general election through social media influencers, social media influencers educate and mobilize youths in Offa on their civic responsibilities, the extent to which social media prompt Offa youths electioneering participation is high. This research recommends that voters should keep exposing themselves to political messages emanating from the social platform, social media influencers should as a matter of urgency educated youth on the right ways to vote.