INTERNET USE AND THE ENHANCEMENT OF CITIZENSHIP AMONGST STUDENTS OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA AND BAYERO UNIVERSITY KANO, NIGERIA

By

Author

Presented To

Department of Arts

ABSTRACT
Over the years there have been an overwhelming increase in the use of the Internet by youths all over the world. Information is now at our finger tip as with just one click, users can access a variety of information on specific topics of interest. This has led to the shrinking of boundaries and a polarization of information sources. A wide variety of issues are now discussed in the public sphere occasioned by the Internet. Discussion platforms on social network sites have become avenues for citizens (youths) to interact and share ideas on pressing matters that affect them. With this development the question arises as to whether or not the Internet can help citizens enhance their citizenship. This study therefore explores the place of the Internet in the enhancement of active and effective citizenship amongst students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria and Bayero University Kano (BUK). Citizenship in this study is premised on the conception of rights and freedom. The rights to expression, freedom to associate freely and express views freely, without being hindered and without infringing on the rights of others. Employing a Mixed Method research design the study uses probability sampling techniques to draw a sample of 1000 comprising 700 ABU students and 300 BUK students. Analysing data collect through Questionnaire (1000 copies), Focus Group Discussion and Observation methods, the study discovered that: youth exercise their freedom as citizens on the Net, youths are politically conscious due to the information they receive from the Net and participate actively as citizens resulting from the interaction and knowledge generated from the Net. The study also discovered that the Net also comes with some negative influences like fraud and misinformation. It concludes by stating that the Net has a lot of potentials for the enhancement of citizenship rights and freedom. Thus, if Nigeria must grow as a nation, citizens must be able to identify groups, spaces, and opportunities that facilitate youths to actively participate as citizens in influencing events and changes in the society especially through the Internet.