9: A CONTEXTUAL STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF NEW MEDIA ON GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN NIGERIA

The intricate relationship between new media and government policies in Nigeria has received scant attention from scholars and researchers unlike areas pertaining to gender, religion, politics etc. By exploring the complexities associated with these concepts, this research provides a deeper understanding of how new media can be leveraged to impact government policies; the favourable conditions necessary for new media to influence policy decisions, and the enabling factors that facilitate the impact of new media on government policies in Nigeria. The study further provides in-depth insights into how Nigerians leverage new media to articulate their opinions, engage with politics and shape policy decisions. Standing on the tenets of Uses and Gratification theory, the study employs qualitative research approach, specifically case study and context analysis, to examine the impact of new media on government policies in Nigeria. #OccypyNigeria and #EndSARS protests on social media were used as case studies. The study finds that new media can be very useful in fostering political awareness which, in turn, stimulates meaningful discourse that gradually consolidates into public opinion regarding governmental activities. Over time, these opinions have the potential to influence and shape government policies. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on the importance and function of new media as it relates to democratic governance, offering a practical resolution to those seeking to harness the power of these concepts for inclusive and participatory governance.