Use of Social Networking Sites by Nigerian Polytechnic students for promoting political participation

Abstract

The study draws its theoretical framework from the Uses and Gratifications Theory, aimed at investigating the use of social networking sites (SNS) by Nigerian Polytechnic students for promoting political participation. The study collected 841 samples from students of three Federal Polytechnics in three geopolitical zones of Nigeria to test the proposed model. Thus, the partial least squares method was used to assess the relationships in the model. The results analysed indicates a significant relationship between frequent use of social networking sites and political participation. Also, the results revealed a significant relationship between the number of social networking sites used and political participation. However, the relationships between the number of social networking sites used and the Political participation was not supported. The findings prove that a greater number of Nigerian students participate in politics and that they are vital instruments that can be used by the government in instituting governmental policies within the citizenry. It is therefore recommended that Nigerian higher institutions should convince the government, stakeholders and policymakers to commit resources to target the students for political participation, mentorship, and development of democracy as future leaders. The government should re-strategise the use of Social Network
Sites by Students for better political participation and the choice of better would-be leaders for the country.