FACEBOOK USAGE IN THE 2019 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN NIGERIA

The study titled Facebook Usage in the 2019 Presidential Election in Nigeria examined how Facebook served as an educational tool during the 2019 presidential elections. Utilizing the Uses and Gratification Theory and a survey research design the study found that a significant number of respondents encountered daily election-related information on Facebook particularly in picture format which was highly educative. The study revealed that Facebook was an effective source of electoral information with 69.2% of respondents affirming its impact. The study concludes that Facebook played a crucial role in political education during the election and recommends that while Facebook is a powerful tool its use should be ethically regulated to prevent negative elements like abusive campaigns.