WRITTEN BY CHUKWUEBUKA OBINUGWU
Social media has been adjudged as an innovation which can be utilized to propel socio-economic and political transformation in a modern society. Given the liberty in access and use of social media, Nigerians have, in recent times, put to use the platform to express their views on many issues.


Recent occurrences have revealed that the use of vile and hateful comments, especially in the on-going general election, dominate the discourse among Nigerians on social media, particularly Facebook. This development indicates the potential of social media to pose serious threats to peaceful co-existence through the proliferation of hate comments.


 However, this technological breakthrough has, in recent times, aided Nigerians to freely express their opinions on issues that impact their lives. By echoing their voices through the social media, Nigerians have contributed in shaping the direction of policy formulation and the outcomes of many events in the society.


For instance, social media play many roles in mobilizing Nigerians at home and abroad in many national issues. The use of social media by political parties and candidates in educating and mobilizing public support, as well as its use, particularly in the collation and announcement of results during elections, contribute in enhancing the credibility of Nigerian’s electoral process.


Again, social media played an active role in the “Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG)” campaign, which attracted global recognition and support. The social media platform has also been utilized to champion cases of human rights abuses. The recent agitations for scrapping of the police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) over allegations of extra judicious killings of civilians, the calls to action against the slave trade in Libya and the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, are among other concerns raised by Nigerians through the social media, which have made some tremendous impacts.

Nevertheless, while the social media is being used to chart direction for socio-economic and political transformation in Nigeria, recent occurrences have revealed that Nigerians employ the use of hate comments, threats, abusive languages and assassination of character on the social media to vent anger, frustration and register their dissatisfaction on political, economic, religious, security and social issues in the society.


Findings reveal that social media is increasingly being deployed as a tool for confounding and fuelling conflicts and championing retrogressive courses, thus given rise to hate speeches. Violent conflicts, whether electoral, communal or ethno-religious, have always been the end product of hate speeches being spread through social media.


Indeed, the phenomenon of hate speech has taken an extensive dimension due to poor regulation. Hate speech has permeated every nook and cranny of Nigeria. Observably, hate speeches have eaten deep into the bone marrows of Nigerians and it has continued unabated. Hatred between the ethnic groups has intensified as the use of hate speech continues unregulated. If the situation is not nipped in the bud, efforts to achieve peace and other development objectives may be jeopardized.


In view of the overwhelming influence of social media and its contents on the society and the polity, government should   focus on addressing issues of injustice, transparency and inclusiveness in all affairs. This would go a long way in resolving the increasing agitations by various groups in addition to strengthening unity among the country’s diverse population.


Thus, owing to the implications of hate speech and reckless comments on peaceful co-existence, moderation in the pattern of user’s interaction on the cyberspace becomes inevitable. Even though the constitution guarantees the freedom of speech and expression, there is need to draw a line between hate speech and constructive criticism, as this would provide a pathway towards containing the negative effects of hate speech on the Nigerian society.

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