Influence of Social Media on Entertainment in Nigeria

Last Updated on January 28, 2024

Introduction

Social media refers to online platforms that allow people to connect, share information, and interact. Nigeria, a vibrant and culturally rich country, is home to a thriving entertainment industry.

Nigerian entertainment encompasses various forms, including music, movies, comedy, and fashion. In recent years, the impact of social media on the Nigerian entertainment scene has been noteworthy.

This blog post explores the ways in which social media has influenced entertainment in Nigeria and delves into how this development has impacted society.

Positive Influence of Social Media on Entertainment in Nigeria

Social media has greatly impacted the entertainment industry in Nigeria. Some of the positive effects include:

Increased Publicity

Through social media, artists and entertainers in Nigeria can easily reach a wider audience with their works. They can post pictures and videos of their performances, and their fans can share the content on their pages, which leads to more publicity. This helps in marketing their works, leading to more exposure.

Building and Maintaining a Fan Base

Social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter have made it easier for Nigerian artists and entertainers to build and maintain their fan base.

Through these platforms, fans can follow their favorite artists and stay updated on their upcoming shows and events.

They can also engage with their fans by responding to their comments and direct messages, which foster a strong bond between the artist and their fans.

Easier Access to a Wider Audience

Social media has made it possible for Nigerian entertainers to reach a wider audience, not only in Nigeria but also globally. They can post videos and pictures of their performances, which can go viral and be viewed by millions of people around the world.

This kind of exposure can lead to opportunities for collaborations with other international artists in the industry.

In short, social media has had a positive impact on the Nigerian entertainment industry.

Through these platforms, artists and entertainers in Nigeria can easily reach a wider audience, build and maintain their fan base, and ultimately gain more visibility in the industry.

It is safe to say that social media has revolutionized the way in which the world views Nigerian entertainment.

Read: Media Regulation in Nigeria: What You Need to Know

Negative Influence of Social Media on Entertainment in Nigeria

Social media has undoubtedly become an integral part of the Nigerian entertainment industry. While it has brought about immense benefits, such as increased audience reach and engagement, there are also negative impacts that cannot be ignored.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is an unfortunate reality that plagues social media. Nigerian celebrities are not immune to this, as they face constant trolling and harassment from online users.

This often leads to mental health issues, which can affect their work and personal lives.

Top Nigerian musicians, such as Wizkid and Tiwa Savage, have been victims of cyberbullying. They have had to take extended breaks from social media to protect their mental health and well-being.

Scandals and False News

Social media has made it easy for people to spread false information and rumours. Nigerian celebrities are often the target of these fake news stories, which can harm their careers and reputation.

A recent example is the alleged affair between Tiwa Savage and Wizkid. Despite both parties denying the rumour, it continued to spread on social media, causing unnecessary drama and speculation.

Dependency on Social Media

Many Nigerian entertainers have become overly dependent on social media for their success. While it is an excellent tool for marketing and promotion, it should not be the sole source of income or validation.

The obsession with social media can also lead to a decline in creativity and originality. Some artists may be tempted to create content that is tailored to social media trends rather than focusing on their unique talents.

The negative impacts of social media on the Nigerian entertainment industry cannot be ignored. Cyberbullying, false news and excessive dependency can harm both the mental health of celebrities and the industry’s creativity and originality.

While social media cannot be abandoned entirely, there needs to be a conscious effort to manage its influence and prevent it from becoming a detrimental force.

Read: Building a Career in Nigeria’s Animation Industry

Case Study of Social Media Influence on Top Nigerian Entertainers

Let’s analyze how social media has impacted the careers and personal lives of Nigerian entertainers like Davido, Wizkid, Burnaboy, and others, who are renowned figures in Africa’s entertainment industry.

Davido

• With over 12 million followers on Instagram, Davido has built a strong fanbase on social media.
  
  
• He utilizes social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to promote his music, engage with fans and acquire new ones.
  
  
• Through social media, Davido has been able to create a brand for himself which has led to several brand endorsements.
  
  
• On Instagram, he often shares personal moments with his fans which helps to humanize him and increase his popularity.
  
  
• Social media has played a significant role in the growth and success of Davido’s career.

Wizkid

• Wizkid’s rise to fame can be largely attributed to social media.
  
  
• He got discovered on Twitter by Banky W, which led to his record deal with EME.
  
  
• Wizkid utilizes social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to promote his music and engage with his fans.
  
  
• On Instagram, he shares behind-the-scenes moments of his life and music, which helps fans feel more connected to him.
  
  
• Social media has played a crucial role in the growth and success of Wizkid’s career.

Burna Boy

• Burnaboy has over 5 million followers on Instagram and has used the platform to create a strong fanbase.
  
  
• He frequently uses Instagram to post about his music, lifestyle, and his social views.
  
  
• Burnaboy’s strong social views and convictions have garnered him even more support from fans.
  
  
• Social media has helped Burnaboy to connect with fans on a deeper level and has contributed to the growth of his career.

In essence, social media has had a significant impact on the careers and personal lives of Nigerian entertainers.

It has provided a platform for them to promote their music, connect with fans, and build their personal brands.

Social media has also contributed to the growth and success of their careers and has helped make them some of the biggest entertainers on the continent.

Read: The Career Path of a Reservoir Engineer in Nigeria’s Oil Sector

Solutions to Mitigate the negative influence of Social Media on Entertainment in Nigeria 

In the previous sections, we have discussed the negative influence of social media on entertainment in Nigeria.

As the negative influence of social media on entertainment continues to grow, it is time to proffer possible solutions to mitigate these negative effects.

Below are some of the solutions that can be implemented to mitigate the negative influence of social media on entertainment in Nigeria.

Sensitization on responsible use of social media

To mitigate social media’s negative influence on entertainment in Nigeria, we must educate and sensitize individuals about responsible social media use. Public awareness campaigns, seminars, and workshops can achieve this goal. Content creators and influencers should also create educational content.

Legislation on cyber bullying

Cyberbullying is one of the major negative effects of social media on entertainment in Nigeria. To mitigate the negative influence of cyberbullying, legislation should be put in place to protect individuals from online harassment and intimidation.

In recent years, there have been calls for the Nigerian government to enact laws that criminalize cyberbullying, especially in cases where the victim suffers harm.

Additionally, social media platforms can also contribute to curbing cyberbullying by enforcing their policies on online bullying and harassment strictly. This means developing mechanisms that detect, halt and eliminate cyberbullying incidences.

Social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook can also provide their users with tools to prevent cyberbullying, such as blocking unwanted followers or accounts that attempt to harass or intimidate them.

Verification and regulation of social media platforms

The last solution to mitigate the negative influence of social media on entertainment in Nigeria is the verification and regulation of social media platforms.

Verification helps to eliminate fake accounts and helps individuals and businesses build credibility on social media platforms. Social media platforms can also regulate the spread of fake news and misinformation, which is another major negative effect of social media on entertainment in Nigeria.

With the rise of fake news and misinformation, social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have been taking steps to curb the proliferation of these malign online activities.

Twitter, for example, has introduced a fact-checking feature for tweets while Facebook and Instagram put labels for fake news and misinformation. These measures will go a long way in reducing the impact of fake news and misinformation on entertainment.

In general, social media has revolutionized how entertainment content is accessed, consumed, and shared in Nigeria. However, the negative influence of social media on entertainment in Nigeria should not be ignored.

As highlighted in this article, there are several solutions to mitigate the negative impact of social media on entertainment.

Sensitization on responsible use of social media, legislation on cyberbullying, and verification and regulation of social media platforms are some of the solutions that can be implemented.

By working together, we can ensure that social media serves the best interests of everyone in the entertainment industry in Nigeria.

Discover More: The Economics of Music in Nigeria: A Deep Dive

Conclusion

After analyzing the influence of social media on entertainment in Nigeria, it is evident that social media has both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, social media has helped to promote and increase the reach of Nigerian entertainment content globally.

It has also improved the relationship between the entertainment industry and fans, leading to increased support and revenue.

However, the negative influence of social media on entertainment cannot be ignored. Social media has brought about cyberbullying, which can negatively affect the mental health of entertainers. It has also led to the proliferation of fake news, which can tarnish the reputation of entertainers.

Overall, the influence of social media on entertainment in Nigeria is a double-edged sword. While it has improved the industry’s profitability and reach, it has also brought about unintended consequences.

Therefore, it is essential that entertainers and stakeholders in the industry take proactive measures to curb the negative influence of social media, while leveraging its positive influence fully.

As a final thought, social media has become an indispensable tool for the entertainment industry, and its influence cannot be overlooked.

However, social media should be used responsibly, and its impact should be monitored to prevent any adverse effects.

Therefore, we call on all stakeholders in the entertainment industry to use social media responsibly and put measures in place to mitigate social media’s negative influence on entertainment in Nigeria.