Beyond the Scroll: The Power and Perils of Social Media for Young Nigerian Men and Women
~ Dr. Aiyeku Olufemi Samuel
Co-Founder & Lead Consultant, Global Human Capital & Energy Management Ltd
In a world increasingly driven by digital influence, social media has become one of the most powerful tools for education, engagement, empowerment, and entrepreneurship. From career-building platforms like LinkedIn to educational communities on YouTube and mentorship groups on Instagram and Facebook, these platforms hold tremendous potential to elevate individuals—especially young women—to greater heights of visibility, knowledge, and success.
However, the story is not all positive.
For a growing number of young men and ladies in Nigeria, the allure of social media has become more of a trap than a tool especially among the ladies. Rather than leveraging these platforms for career advancement, skill development, or meaningful connections, many have been seduced by the aesthetic glamour and performative lifestyles on display, which has led to death of many ladies.
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Six hours or more a day—devoted to scrolling, chatting, posting, and emotionally entangling themselves with multiple online relationships—has become routine. This daily routine is not just time-consuming, it’s emotionally draining, financially wasteful, and, most dangerously, developmentally regressive.
“Where your attention goes, your life flows. When the mind is scattered, the future is fractured.”
~ Amb. Aina Olusiji Ph.D.
The Real Cost:
Spending thousands of naira monthly on mobile data and calls with little to no return on investment is not just poor financial behavior—it reflects a growing crisis in personal discipline and value orientation. Rather than developing key life skills, enrolling in virtual courses, or building legitimate online businesses, many young women are caught in a toxic cycle of seeking validation through likes, follows, and attention from men whose only asset is the illusion they sell online.
“Social media is a tool. But like a knife, it can nourish or destroy—it all depends on how you wield it.”
~ Dr. Aiyeku Olufemi Samuel
Behavioural Implications:
This obsessive engagement fosters:
Emotional dependency
Low self-esteem
Addiction to superficial relationships
Reduced attention spans
Poor academic and professional performance
In the long term, it erodes confidence, delays personal growth, and distorts moral judgment.
Recommendations and Solutions:
● Digital Literacy & Critical Thinking
Young ladies must be trained in digital etiquette and social media literacy. They must understand how to filter, question, and evaluate what they consume online.
● Time & Energy Budgeting
Just as we track finances, young women should learn to manage how much time they spend online versus on personal development, faith, family, and education.
● Parental and Mentorship Roles
Parents and mentors must go beyond verbal advice—they should model digital discipline, invest in virtual learning subscriptions, and monitor online behavior sensitively but firmly.
● Leverage Social Media for Growth
Use platforms for:
Free or paid online courses
Networking with industry professionals
Participating in thought-leadership conversations
Promoting entrepreneurship and side hustles
Developing niche communities of shared values
● Faith and Personal Reflection
Spiritual grounding, guided reflection, and accountability partnerships can also help mitigate peer pressure and online temptations.
“Your phone should not own you. You were created to live a life of purpose, not just post. Let social media serve you—not enslave you. The future is too precious to scroll away.”
~ Dr. Aiyeku Olufemi Samuel
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