Addressing Gerontocracy and Power Inequality through Hashtag Activism: A Social Network Analysis of #NotTooYoungToRun Movement in Nigeria

Omoniyi Adeyemi Adewoye; Victor Ayedun-Aluma; Suleiman Salau

doi:10.70382/ajasr.v7i6.024

Authors

Omoniyi Adeyemi Adewoye Department of Language and Communication, School of General Studies, Federal College of Education (Technical) Bichi, Kano State, Nigeria Author
Victor Ayedun-Aluma, Ph.D Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Arts, University of Jos, Jos Plateau State, Nigeria Author
Suleiman Salau, Ph.D Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Arts, University of Jos, Jos Plateau State, Nigeria Author

Abstract

This study is designed to evaluate the role of social media in facilitating contemporary online social movements in Nigeria, with particular focus on the activities of #NTYTR protest movement on Twitter. The objectives of the study were: to determine the key influencers of the movements on Twitter, the core themes in their messages and the purposes for which they deployed Twitter during the protest. Application Programming Interface (API)-based method was deployed for collecting the data for the study. A total of 9,678 tweets were collected for the study, and analyzed using a Computer-Assisted Data Collection and Analysis tool known as NodeXL Pro. Findings from the study revealed that Yiaga Africa and a few top Nigerian government officials were the key influencers in the #NTYTR movement. It was also discovered that the hashtag #NotTooYoungToRun was the dominant theme in the messages of participants in the network. Findings from the study also indicated that participants in the #NotTooYounToRun movement deployed Twitter for seven (7) major purposes which included: for reporting the impacts of the movement’s initiatives; to communicate details of events and programs; to mobilise support for the Not Too Young To Run Bill; to evaluate the impact of the movement’s programs; to highlight the challenges facing young Nigerians aspiring for political offices; to mobilise support and campaign for youths who contested for elective positions in then 2019 and 2023 general elections; and to provide training, technical support and mentorship for youth candidates who won in the 2019 and 2023 elections. Based on these findings, it is recommended among other things that Nigerian government should put in place concrete measures in terms of policies and action plans to permanently address the age-long culture of gerontocracy and other challenges hindering Nigerian youths from fulfilling their full potentials.