Social Media as the Game Changer : Exploring Feminist Activism in 21st
Century Nigeria
Chiadikaobi Ihuoma ( PhD in Media , Communication and Culture )
Abstract Social media is becoming a powerful space for feminist activism in contemporary Nigeria and has provided platforms for advocacy , mobilisation and community building . This paper traces social media ’ s revolutionary and transformative potential as it intervenes to change the decades-long patriarchal status quo , to shape feminist discourses and set the agenda to address sexual and domestic violence , economic and social inequality , and discrimination in Africa ’ s most populous country . It emphasises using a platform like Twitter ( X ) to demand gender equality and bring together likeminded women . The paper digs into the changing feminist landscape in Nigeria , tracing the progression from the traditional advocacy system to the use of social media that many would regard as a new beginning in the agelong feminist campaign . It takes a critical look into the use of these platforms by feminist influencers to galvanise and mobilise support through storytelling , pictures , videos and hashtags . The # ArewaMeToo , # JusticeForBamise and the more popular # BringBackOurGirls present evidence of how social media feminist campaigns have been used to create awareness and to pressure the country ' s leadership to take action . By exploring existing literature and cross-case analysis evidence from Twitter , the paper critically assesses social media as the new order in Nigeria ’ s feminist advocacy . Findings reveal that social media is widely used by
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