The Role of Social Media in Raising Awareness and Changing Behaviors Towards Solid Waste Management in Kano State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT
The objective of this study is focused on the role of social media in raising awareness and changing behaviors towards solid waste management in Kano state, Nigeria as case study. Specifically, the study assessed whether social media campaigns are effective in raising awareness about solid waste management in Kano state, assessed the level of influence social media platforms have on public attitudes and behaviors towards waste disposal practices and determined whether social media have a significant impact on promoting sustainable waste management practices in Kano state. The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. Self- structured questionnaire was issued to three hundred and nine (309) participant who are youths and students in the faculty of Earth and Environmental Science (100) were returned and validated for the study. The study made use of descriptive analysis. Descriptive statistics which include frequency, percentage, graphs and tables were used to present the data. This study demonstrates that social media serves as a significant catalyst in raising awareness and influencing behaviors towards solid waste management in Kano State. The findings reveal that social media campaigns effectively increase knowledge about proper waste management practices, highlight the importance of appropriate waste disposal, and communicate the consequences of poor waste management to a broad audience. Social media platforms, through engaging content, positively shape public attitudes and encourage individuals to participate in community clean-up initiatives and other sustainable waste disposal practices. The study among others recommends that Government Agencies should collaborate with social media platforms and users to design and implement targeted campaigns that emphasize the importance of sustainable waste management practices and their long-term benefits for the environment. Environmental Organizations should develop engaging and educational content tailored to the cultural and social context of Kano State to ensure that messages about proper waste disposal resonate with the target audience.