The role of social media influencers as key players in resolving political conflicts in Nigeria: An opinion leadership perspective
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Abstract
This study examined the Role of Social Media Influencers as Key Players in Resolving Political Conflicts in Nigeria: An Opinion Leadership Perspective, with the objectives of investigating the role of social media influencers in shaping public opinion, their impact on conflict resolution, and the challenges associated with their influence. The study was guided by the Agenda-Setting Theory, which posits that media has the power to influence public discourse and shape audience perceptions. A library research method was employed, involving a systematic review of existing literature on the topic. The findings revealed that social media influencers play a significant role in shaping public opinion and influencing conflict resolution in Nigeria, but their impact is often limited by factors such as lack of credibility, bias, and misinformation. The study concludes that social media influencers have the potential to contribute positively to conflict resolution in Nigeria, but their influence must be harnessed responsibly and strategically. The study recommends that social media influencers should prioritize fact-checking and verification of information before disseminating it to their followers, and that government and other stakeholders should engage with social media influencers to promote constructive dialogue and conflict resolution
Keywords:
social media influencers agenda-setting theory opinion leaders political conflict resolutionReferences
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