UNDERSTANDING THE SECOND-LEVEL DIGITAL DIVIDE IN NIGERIA: A MULTIDIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT

Abstract

This study examines the second-level digital divide in Nigeria by exploring how socioeconomic, demographic, and personality factors influence patterns of social media engagement beyond mere access. Using regression analysis and descriptive statistics, the research uncovers complex relationships between age, gender, education, income, and personality traits with distinct types of social media use, including entertainment, social connection, informational, political, and utilitarian purposes. Notably, a “reverse divide” emerges where lower-income Nigerians engage more intensively in informational use than their higher-income counterparts, highlighting adaptive compensatory behaviors amid resource constraints. Findings reveal that digital inequality is a dynamic interplay of economic necessity, individual agency, and contextual factors, calling for nuanced digital inclusion policies that emphasize tailored literacy programs, gender-sensitive approaches, affordable access, and relevant content to foster inclusive economic empowerment in Nigeria.