Digital Activism and Political Accountability: Evaluating the Impact of #EndBadGovernance on Governance Reforms in Nigeria

Abstract

The #EndBadGovernance Movement that occurred in August 2024 in Nigeria marks a significant event in the West African country’s history. The movement was an expression of dissatisfaction by Nigerians over the country’s failing economy and governance system. Using the hashtag on social media platforms, Nigerians expressed their grievances and mobilised for offline protests across the country. The study employs qualitative content analysis of posts from X to identify significant protest themes, government responses, and various forms of structural barriers that include entrenched political interests, weak institutions, and the transientness of digital activism. The findings indicate that while the movement amplified public grievances and increased civic engagement via digital platforms, it had minimal impact on governance reform. The movement showed that digital activism proved incapable of overcoming structural barriers alone, thus necessitating an integrated strategy that combined online mobilization with offline action and institutional engagement. This study contributes to the expanding discussions regarding digital activism in Africa by giving an account of how digital tools interface with civic dissent and Nigeria's governance systems.