Digital Engagement and the Development of Civic Literacy Among Nigerian Youth

Abstract

This chapter examined how Nigerian youth leveraged digital platforms during the 2020 #EndSARS protests to foster civic literacy and political participation. Guided by Public Sphere Theory, the study analyzed how hashtags such as #EndSARS, #EndPoliceBrutality, and #SoroSoke created informal civic spaces for dialogue, learning, and activism. The chapter identified key themes including rights advocacy, democratic accountability, and intergenerational justice. Legal professionals and digital creators translated complex laws and governance issues into accessible content, enhancing civic education beyond formal classrooms. Despite facing state repression, online censorship, and internal exclusions, Nigerian youth redefined citizenship through digital engagement. The chapter concluded with five policy recommendations to institutionalize digital civic learning and expand youth participation in governance.