Nigeria is no doubt witnessing another progressive revolution, but this time through social media. Social media is a form of websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social connections, networking and services. The common social media platforms are Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Blogs, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Flickr, WhatsApp, MySpace, YouTube, Instagram, SlideShare, etc.

These platforms can be a cause for social good and citizen participation in governance especially where citizens differ with leaders on policies and projects. Though embroiled with negativism and sarcasm, the social media has proven to be a great tool for holding leaders accountable. It is a space for amplifying both appreciation and frustration or grievances to the government; it gives general overview of citizens’ perception towards governance as opposed to print media which are independently opinionated by few writers.

Prominent Nigerian leaders like President @Mbuhari, Vice President @ProfOsinbajo, Senate President @bukolasaraki, Speaker @doyakubu, Governor @elrufai, Governor @AkinwunmiAmbode, former President @JGoodlucktweets and former Vice President @atiku Abubakar are on various platforms of social media, and respond to Nigerians views either directly or indirectly. Similarly, those who oppose progressive ideas are treated with disdain and contempt. The social media is always engaged by leading commentators and activists, though uncoordinated and unorganized, it has proven to be a great space for planning protests, conversations, conferences, campaigns and hangouts.

Fans and followers often subscribe to the opinions of their comrades on national issues thereby polling total support and common position from different parts of the country. A lot of Nigerians have garnered support and fame through the social media based on their professional works and stance on national issues. The most famous social media enthusiasts followed by Nigerians are @Omojuwa, @aminugamawa, @obyezeks, @Ayourb, @AishaYesufu, @AbangMercy, @fkeyamo, @DeleMomodu, @AbuSidiq, @toluogunlesi, @eggheader, @lindaikeji, @trueNija, @ogundamisi, @Bint_Moshood, @AliBabaGCFR, @MrFixNigeria, etc.

Furthermore, as one of the most powerful tool to reach out to people, social media is used to spread awareness about preventable illnesses and diseases or outbreak as in the case of Ebola, mobilize resources in terms of need, community policing and crime prevention tips or reporting. It is an unbeatable modern tool for generating collective solutions to problems and challenges.

Social media is also a source of income for average entrepreneurs and companies through social marketing, consulting and public relations; and for bashing businesses with poor service delivery. Notably, it helps in addressing dysfunctional system and steering good governance through citizen participation to demand social justice and rule of law, increased effort in fighting corruption and maximization of production.

In efforts to advance good governance, the social media became noticeable during the times of Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua. Citizens and civil society organizations through facebook and twitter organized and participated in ‘Enough Is Enough’ march to ask the whereabouts of the President, demands the immediate inauguration of the then Vice President as Acting President following the deteriorating health condition and long absence of the President. The campaign succeeded in tabling the matter to the National Assembly which was logically resolved through ‘doctrine of necessity’, and also secured judgment from Federal High Court, Abuja directing the Vice President to carry out executive functions of the President. The struggle was integral in promoting democracy and good governance.

Another socio-political protest was the #OccupyNigeria movement in response to the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government which increases fuel pump price to nearly threefold; the protest spreads across all States and some Nigerian embassies abroad. It was partly mobilized and organized through online platforms.

The Immigration recruitment scam where well-meaning and productive Nigerians lost their lives and many injured for seeking to serve their country is a classical example. Nigerians reacted to the cruel exercise through different hashtags on twitter and facebook and protested in support of the victims and their families. The government responded by suspending the exercise, paying the medical bills of the injured and assuring employment to the victims.

The #BringBackOurGirls campaign is an international movement started on social media by Nigerians as a result of the abduction of Secondary School girls in Chibok by the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents. Prominent world leaders and activists engage the Nigeria Government to act swiftly in order to rescue the abducted girls and defeat the terrorists. The campaign is still ongoing as the girls are yet to be rescued.

The 2015 general elections is the most discussed and campaigned on social media, parties and candidates take advantage of available platforms to reach out to their supporters and those sitting on the fence. Analysts reviews also shows that, apart from card-reader machine, social media also played an important role in reducing election rigging and malpractices as citizens announced results from polling units before they were collated, this reduced the tendencies of tempering the results. Nigerians used #NigeriaDecides to ask questions and demand answers from the electoral body and other stakeholders.

Good governance is wholly achieved through transparency and accountability in public institutions. The #OpenNASS campaign started by civic technology organization, BudgIT, call on the National Assembly to open its books. The campaign led to miraculous revelation of National Assembly’s budgets, especially salaries and allowances of both Senators and Members of the House Representatives by Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC) leading to the call for review of outrageous monies being pocketed by the Legislators. The campaign is still ongoing.

#NigeriansMarchAgainstCorruption is another recent protest organized on the social media in response to the alleged position of the National Peace Committee on the fight against corruption. The protesters march in solidarity to the President in his effort to rid Nigeria of corruption and were received by President’s Spokesman, @FemAdesina.

These movements generally contributed to government actions on issues regarding the well-being of its citizens. It is also important to note that, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Google+, etc are not only for social movements or interaction but also avenues for professional and intellectual discussions.

The narcissism in the social media, wanton abuses and behaviours such as indecent postings of pornography, insults, and statements that could instigate violence cannot be ignored. However, despite these shortcomings, social media is the better place for government to receive advice and draw from poll of opinions; a responsible citizen-centered government can make informed decision on governance from these opinions.

Lastly, the social media has evolved to be a sine qua non for democracy and good governance; it opens up access to government officials, acts as watchdog, and promotes responsive, equitable and inclusive government.

Abbas Inuwa Jnr writes from Kaduna, read more of his write-ups at www.abinjnr.wordpress.com, or follow him on twitter – @abinjnr