A DISCOURSE OON SOCIAL MEDIA USERS’ REACTIONS TOWARD FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL : A STUDY OF FACEBOOK USERS IN PORTHARCOUT

1.1 Background of the Study The removal of fuel subsidies has become a recurring issue for the Nigerian populace. Over the years, various Nigerian administrations have reviewed and attempted to revoke fuel subsidy policies due to several economic and political reasons. However, each attempt has been met with public outcry and protests, as Nigerians are consistently confronted with the harsh consequences of these policy decisions (Ali, 2021). While the government may present its own economic justifications for withdrawing subsidies, the average Nigerian is typically left to bear the brunt of the policy’s implementation. The removal of fuel subsidies often initiates a chain reaction within the economy. As fuel and petroleum prices rise, other sectors such as transportation, food, healthcare, education, security, and public services inevitably experience a corresponding increase in operational costs. This cascading effect usually prompts public demonstrations and protests, as citizens attempt to draw attention to the socioeconomic implications of such policies. In the Nigerian context, while the issue of fuel subsidy removal predates digital technology, the use of social media to voice public sentiment is relatively new. Initially, limited internet access posed a major barrier in developing countries like Nigeria. The cost of connectivity was high, and a significant portion of the population lacked the digital literacy required to engage online. However, technological advancements have progressively enabled internet access through mobile devices. The increasing number of industry stakeholders fostered competition, resulting in a noticeable reduction in data costs and improved internet availability. As mobile service providers vied for a larger customer base, they introduced various promotional offers and marketing strategies (Boyd, 2017). Consequently, the cost of accessing mobile internet steadily decreased, which led to a significant rise in mobile internet penetration across the country. This development has enabled a substantial portion of the population to use social media platforms on their mobile phones. The popularity of these platforms is driven by several factors. Notably, social media enables the immediate sharing of information across various formats—text, images, voice notes, and videos—in ways that traditional media like radio, newspapers, and television cannot achieve. Additionally, social media grants users the freedom to express themselves and, in many cases, allows them to remain anonymous. Although many Nigerians express dissatisfaction with fuel subsidy removal, their voices often go unheard in conventional media due to editorial restrictions and exposure risks. Traditional media outlets rarely guarantee anonymity unless there is a compelling need, whereas social media offers users more privacy and freedom. According to the International Telecommunications Union (2015), Nigeria accounted for 39.6% of Africa’s total internet traffic, making it the continent’s leading internet user. Boyd and Elison (2017) observed that social media usage across Africa surged as mobile devices became more internet-enabled. Reports indicate that up to 90% of individuals who have internet access actively use social networking platforms. A study conducted by Deloitte (2022) confirmed Facebook as the most widely used social media platform on the African continent, with 44.9 million active users. In Nigeria and South Africa, approximately 80% of Facebook activity takes place on mobile devices. Social media usage has become the primary reason many Africans, including Nigerians, go online—mostly via mobile connections. Therefore, this study seeks to explore how Nigerian Facebook users have reacted to the removal of the fuel subsidy. 1.2 Statement of the Problem Nigeria’s economy has long been structured around the availability and affordability of petroleum products. Subsidized petroleum derivatives like fuel and kerosene serve as critical energy sources for most Nigerian households, both for domestic and commercial purposes. The national power supply from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) is known to be unreliable, which forces many households and businesses to depend on fuel-powered generators (Fuchs, 2020). Small-scale businesses such as hair salons, barbershops, welders, restaurants, pepper vendors, cool-room operators, and even both private and public hospitals rely heavily on subsidized fuel to function efficiently. An increase in transportation costs—an inevitable outcome of subsidy removal—has a knock-on effect across all other sectors, given that transportation connects the entire supply chain. This makes the cost of living rise steeply. The withdrawal of fuel subsidies is expected to significantly worsen the country’s inflation rate. In fact, hyperinflation is a likely outcome, as the prices of goods and services escalate beyond what most citizens can afford. The introduction of the internet in the early 1990s has revolutionized global communication and interaction, connecting billions of people through social media platforms. Channels like Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, and MySpace have increasingly been used by civil society and political activists to mobilize and express dissent across various countries. These platforms have now become a major outlet for Nigerians to voice their frustrations regarding fuel subsidy removal. The array of opinions and reactions from social media users highlights the critical role these platforms play in contemporary political discourse. Furthermore, prominent politicians have embraced social media as a means of engaging directly with citizens. Many have created fan pages or personal profiles to interact with the public on key issues, including policy decisions like fuel subsidy removal (Gerlach, 2021). Given the increasing relevance of social media in shaping public opinion and political engagement, it becomes essential to examine how users have responded to this policy change. Thus, this study investigates the reactions of Nigerian Facebook users to the fuel subsidy removal. 1.1 Objective of the study The broad objective of the study is to analyze Social Media Users’ Reactions to the Removal of Fuel Subsidy: A Study of Facebook Discourse. The specific objectives is as follows: i. To examines the relevance of social media during the removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria. ii. To find out the various reaction users of social media portrayed during the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. iii. To investigate why social media was used during the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria iv. To assess the kind of messages that were posted on social media in reaction to various turn of events during the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. 1.2 Research questions The following questions have been prepared for the study: i. What is the relevance of social media during the removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria? ii. What are the various reaction users of social media portrayed during the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria? iii. Why was social media used during the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria? iv. What are the kind of messages posted on social media in reaction to various turn of events during the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria? 1.3 Research hypotheses The following hypotheses have been formulated for the study: H0: Social media did not have any relevance during the removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria. HA: Social media had relevance during the removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria. 1.4 Significance of the study The study is significant to the Nigerian government as it will be exposed to the benefit and challenges that comes with the use of social media to discuss issues bordering on the policies enacted by the government. The study is also significant to the Nigerian populace as it will be exposed to the usefulness of social media as a tool to air their dissatisfaction concerning policies made by the government, it is also an avenue for the government to share information as majority of Nigerian citizens have accounts with different social media platform. The study is significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature. 1.5 Scope of the study The study focuses on Social Media Users’ Reactions to the Removal of Fuel Subsidy: A Study of Facebook Discourse. Hence, the study will examines the relevance of social media during the removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria,find out the various reaction users of social media portrayed during the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria,investigate why social media was used during the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria and assess the kind of messages that were posted on social media in reaction to various turn of events during the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. Hence, the study was delimited to Facebook users. 1.6 Limitations of the study Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced. 1.9 Definition of terms Social media: a collective term for websites and applications that focus on communication, community-based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration Fuel subsidy: the government not paying for the difference between pump price and the actual cost of importing fuel anymore.