Effect of Twitter Ban on Foreign Investors in Nigeria
Chapter One
Objectives of the study
The primary objectives of the study are as follows
- To find out the causes of the Twitter ban in Nigeria.
- To find out the effect of the Twitter ban on foreign technological investors coming to invest in Nigeria.
- To find out the impact of the ban on Twitter on Nigerian Twitter users.
- To find out if Twitter ban can be lifted in Nigeria
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media are computer-mediated technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, career interests and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networksUsers typically access social media services via web-based technologies on desktop computers, and laptops, or download services that offer social media functionality to their mobile devices (e.g., smartphones and tablet computers). When engaging with these services, users can create highly interactive platforms through which individuals, communities and organizations can share, cocreate, discuss, and modify user-generated content or pre-made content posted online. They introduce substantial and pervasive changes to communication between businesses, organizations, communities and individuals. Social media changes the way individuals and large organizations communicate. These changes are the focus of the emerging field of technoself studies. Social media differ from paper-based media (e.g., magazines and newspapers) or traditional electronic media such as TV broadcasting in many ways, including quality, reach, frequency, interactivity, usability, immediacy, and permanence. Social media operate in a dialogic transmission system (many sources to many receivers). This is in contrast to traditional media which operates under a monologic transmission model (one source to many receivers), such as a paper newspaper which is delivered to many subscribers or a radio station which broadcasts the same programs to an entire city. Some of the most popular social media websites are Baidu Tieba, Facebook (and its associated Facebook Messenger), Gab, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Reddit, Snapchat, Tumblr, Twitter, Viber, VK, WeChat, Weibo, What sApp, Wikia, and YouTube.
EVOLUTION OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media have evolved through Web 2.0, a term coined to describe a new wave of Internet innovation that enables users to publish and exchange content online Kaplan and Haenlein (cited in Eun 2011:6). Social media encompass a wide range of electronic forums, including blogs, microblogs (e.g., Twitter), social networking sites (e.g., Facebook), creative work-sharing sites (e.g., YouTube), business networking sites (e.g., LinkedIn), collaborative websites (e.g., Wikipedia), and virtual worlds (e.g., Second Life). Among these social media, social networks and microblogs are the most popular, accounting for 22.7% of all time spent online in the United States ACNielsen (cited in Eun 2011: 6).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
The focus of the study examines effect of twitter ban on foreign investors in Nigeria using Lagos State as case Study, Nigeria. Selected twitter users in Ikeja, Lagos State form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
This study examines effect of twitter ban on foreign investors in Nigeria. using Lagos State as case study. The study sought to find out the causes of twitter ban in Nigeria. it found out the effect of twitter ban on foreign technological investors coming to invest in Nigeria. It unearthed the impact of the ban on twitter on Nigerian twitter users. It inquired on To find out if it is possible for the twitter ban to be lifted i Nigeria.
The study adopted a survey research design and with the aid of convenient sampling techniques, 80 participants who are resident of Ikeja Metropolis in Lagos State was enrolled for the study. A well structured questionnaire was issued to the respondent of which a total of 77 responses were received and validated for the study. Data was analyzed using simple percentage as well as frequencies and table.
CONCLUSION
Social media is a significant platform for every business to make a rise in a competitive environment. It provides a crucial tool to seek out potential customers as well as new customers towards any business. Along with the popularity, social media has dominated the traditional ways of marketing methods.
Findings from the study revealed that twitter ban has affected the Nigeria Economy. Most sectors that were affected include Technology companies, free lancers, digital marketers and telecommunication companies and small and medium scale businesses with online presence.
Findings from the study also revealed that Businesses whose operation were basically online via e-commerce found it difficult to connect with their online customers due to the ban, The ban reduced the data usage of internet users hence the profit margin of telecommunications companies were affected, SMEs who do use twitter to run adverts on their brand were restrained by the ban hence might encounter loss of brand recognition. The ban affected the civic societies by shrinking the civic space and shutting the ordinary people from airing their grievances and bringing to public attention, crisis and injustice that has been done to them as well as to seek both institutional and public support, For Digital Marketting and Lancers who run social adverts for other businesses, the ban has retrained them from providing such services on twitter.
Aside the aforementioned effect of twitter ban on Nigeria citizen, the ban has significantly prevent foreign investors from doing business in Nigeria this is because of perceived fear, hostility and a non-friendly economic environment masterminded by the government.
RECOMMENDATION
The damaging effects of the ban on the economy is not one to be swept under the rug. It is now a matter of urgency. Our leaders need to understand the importance of new age applications and have passionate young Nigerians play active roles in leadership. That way, there is a balance of experience and knowledge. If indeed the country is an entity where “they can have business”, then, unless those at the helm of affairs see it as a tool that has created job opportunities, and a tool for expressing differing political views and opinions for the betterment of the country, we might make no headway with the dialogue.
From the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made:
- The federal government of Nigeria should endeavour to go back to their drawing board and make necessary amendments to the ban on Twitter usage in Nigeria.
- The federal government of Nigeria should recognize that the ban on Twitter is affecting different spheres of the economy. They should adhere to the terms and rules of ECOWAS and revoke the ban since the ban is a bridge of the fundamental rights of the citizens.
- All business organizations affectedby the ban should utilize other social media platforms as means to create awareness of their product to the public and try more strategic approach to e-commerce to enhance their proficiency.
REFERENCE
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- Barnes, N. G., & Mattson, E. (2009). Social media in the 2009 Inc. 500: new tools & new trends. Retrieved February 2, 2010, from center for marketing research, University of MassachusettsDartmouth:http://www.umassd.edu/cmr/studiesresearch/social media2009.pdf.
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