In the past month, Nigeria seems to have tipped over on its head, and our shame is in the air for all to see.

Shame don wear us Super Eagles jersey. The fake one, mind you.

From the undemocratic (the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and The Rivers State Executive and Legislature), the scary (threats to Ushie Uguamaye – “Raye” – for criticising the government), and the downright horrific (the hundreds killed accross Edo, Plateau, and Benue state), what have Nigerians not seen three months into 2025?

Even the President has just returned to Nigeria from a 19-day “working visit” to France.

Might we be cooked?

No one is posting the “Welcome to a new dispensation” meme anymore – the one the japa crew were using that year to signify their departure; social media is a seemingly never-ending reel of news reports and updates competing for the title of  “worst thing you will see and hear today.”

It seems like for every five posts on your timeline, four are complaining about something, and the outlier is probably just rejoicing that they brought light and their freshly made okra soup won’t spoil in the fridge.

The point is that social media has become an easy vent for Nigerian frustration. It’s quick, accessible, satisfying and community-fostering.

“It is well”, but is it, really?

This statement has unironically become the season’s catchphrase; a weary acknowledgement of the struggles evident, and an almost placid acceptance of said struggles as norm, as inevitable.

It’s everywhere on social media, prefixing and suffixing laments, and sometimes, a whole statement on its own.

Nigerians are often labelled resilient. Hardworking. Innovative.

But, according to The World Bank, 47% of the population lives below the poverty line, and the Global Hunger Index says Nigeria’s hunger level is “serious”.

Our Multidimentional Poverty Index (2022) also says 70% of Nigerians live in rural areas, yet these areas are home to 80% of poor people.

So, how much of that “resilience” is born of a purely animal drive to simply survive?

Nigeria needs to change, so, we, in our magnanimity and benevolence, decided to play our small role in the lord’s work by bringing you this three part guide on practical, real-life steps you can take to make Nigeria better.

From digital petitions from your couch, to offline organising on the streets and all the things in between, we’re breaking it down and serving it up for you, dearest reader.

And believe it or not, change can start with you on social media.

Let’s get into how.

Social Media For Social Activism

Pick a cause

As we mentioned earlier, many things are happening in Nigeria. Apart from brain-melting sun and talented youth, something Nigeria has in abundance is problems.

There are too many to tackle at once, so pick your poison as a focused effort will drive more change than a generalised push.

What riles you up and cuts you deep? It can be as hyperlocal as a refuse dump down your street, or maybe you’ve been keeping an eye on government expenditure with Govspend, and something isn’t quite adding up, or you’re passionate about Nigeria’s scary Gender Based Violence and femicide problem, whatever it is, be specific.

Okay, you know what your hill is. How do you climb it?

Digital petitions, email campaigns, and mass reporting

Though it may seem otherwise, Nigeria is a democratic state.

This means the Nigerian government functions with the consent of the governed.

Let’s take a moment to…

What are Digital Petitions?

A digital petition is an online tool for collecting signatures supporting a cause. Unlike a normal petition with a physical letter and signatures, a digital petition is a more convenient way of expressing your views on important issues, particularly because it allows you to participate from anywhere.

Digital petitions help Nigerians go from tweets to demands.

Why do digital petitions matter? Do digital petitions work?

While most African governments aren’t legally required to respond to digital petitions, like the UK and other places, if public outcry is loud enough, it can shake some tables.

When large enough, digital petitions can snag international and home media attention, pressure private institutions – yes, like our dearest electricity distribution companies – be used as evidence by civil society groups when filing legal action or lobbying, and even get picked up by lawmakers or local officials if there’s enough momentum.

Example: During the 2020 EndSARS protests, a Change.org digital petition demanding the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) gained tens of thousands of signatures. With such online commotion, the whole world had eyes on Nigeria’s government. SARS was disbanded, and most state governments set up Judicial Panels of Inquiry to investigate police brutality.

Shoutout to the states who didn’t, they’re obviously very concerned about the safety and welfare of their inhabitants.

That was sarcasm.

Anyway, while the government’s actions after the disbandment were lacklustre and performative at best, the fact that it happened at all is testament to the power of an organised electorate.

So, you see? Closed mouths don’t get fed o.

How do I start or support a digital petition?

While Nigeria doesn’t have a homegrown digital petition platform with government integration – sigh – some of the biggest petitions in the country were started on international platforms.

You can quickly start a digital petition on Change.org, or browse and support others close to your heart. Think of it as a social medium, but for civic duties

You can also support locally focused advocacy campaigns, including other petitions and calls to action on ActionAid Nigeria.

What are Email Campaigns?

If you’re shameless – like us – you double text, because what do you have to lose?

Email campaigns are like double-texting your representatives. They are a digital activism strategy involving many people sending well-crafted messages en masse to the people who have the power to make change, be it a government ministry, a company, or an elected official.

These campaigns bring the issue to their immediate attention and work best when they’re part of a larger advocacy push, alongside petitions, hashtags, or news coverage.

Why do email campaigns matter? Do email campaigns work?

As we stated earlier, a democracy works with the consent of the governed, which means you, as citizens of a democratic state, have a responsibility to participate in it.

Email campaigns fulfil this obligation because you’re directly alerting them about how you, the governed, ergo, the powerholder, feel. While decision-makers may ignore tweets, a direct message to their inbox feels more personal and profound.

Sometimes, it’s the difference between a whisper and a shout.

Example: In 2022, the #FixTheNigerianPassport campaign rose to prominence, targeted at the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Ministry of Interior, calling for an overhaul of the Nigerian passport issuance system and lamenting unnecessarily long processes and alleged extortion by officials.

While not as large-scale as EndSARS, activists and frustrated citizens started mass-sending complaint emails to official NIS and Ministry emails. Some tech-bros even created email generators that made it easier for others to send pre-written complaints.

In response to this, international pressure and digital petitions, the Federal High Court ordered the Minister of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service to issue passports to applicants within six weeks of fulfilling all requirements.

Small wins, eh?

How do I start an email campaign? 

Email campaigns are relatively easy to start;

• Identify your target – who can solve the problem you have? Who are those responsible?

• Gather contact information – check out our “Know Your Reps” database for your target’s contact information in our Index. You’re welcome, dear.

• Write a strong, clear template – your email must be concise, respectful, and action-focused – try not to rant too much. A brief intro (who are you? Why are you writing?), facts or personal stories to back up your concern, a direct request (e.g., investigate a case, respond publicly, end a harmful policy), then contact details or a signature. Again, check our email templates in the Index. God bless you too.

• Share and mobilise on your social media and through your contacts. Maybe using a public Google doc or a Canva graphic.

Don’t forget it doesn’t end there, so keep the pressure on. Follow up with more emails. Tag the officials online. Combine it with petitions, media coverage, and social media pressure to increase the impact.

You really have nothing to lose.

Start up idea for entrepreneurs:  An online service that allows citizens upload letters or petitions to be printed and delivered to the physical addresses of their political representatives. It’s harder to hide from real paper, hm?

Think about it.

What is Mass Reporting?

Mass Reporting is exactly what it sounds like: when concerned users report misinformative, incendiary or potentially harmful content en masse.

Most social media platforms are mandated by app stores to have a system of this sort in place, as it allows everyday users to hold others accountable by challenging harmful narratives (like fake news and sponsored disinformation), and protecting vulnerable communities.

Example: On June 1, 2021, former President Muhammadu Buhari tweeted a message warning against insurrection, in reference to unrest in the South-East. He referenced the civil war and threatened to treat “those misbehaving in the language they understand.”

Thousands of Nigerians mass reported the tweet, calling it inciteful and dangerous, and Twitter took it down for violating its policy on abusive behaviour and incitement. Buhari’s account was not suspended, but the deletion was a small blow to the Nigerian government.

Of course, three days later, the Nigerian government suspended Twitter operations in the country, but you win some, you lose some, eh?

After Nigerians made some more noise, seven months later, Twitter was unbanned, anyway.

So…

We started with digital petitioning, email campaigns, and mass reporting because, to a large extent, they are the lowest-hanging fruits.

They are easy to get into, and all you need are political awareness and an internet connection, which, if you’re reading this, you probably do.

Start and follow petitions on Change.org, know your reps and get their contacts here to shoot them a strongly worded – but respectful – email, keep an eye out for harmful content on social media and mobilise reporting if needed.

Crucial tea: Speaking of emails, it took a herculean effort from the entire Ahmad’s Journal team – and then some – to compile the contact details of our political representatives. What’s more, after a simple verification test, we discovered that many of the email addresses circulating online as official channels of communication are either incorrect, inactive or nonfunctional.

There are still many potentially active inboxes in our database – and we even received some responses – but this lack of information makes you think; is this intentional? A way of shielding themselves from the opinions of their constituents?

That’s why we’re reaching out to you, dear readers. Do you have any information (emails or numbers) to help us contact our representatives? 

We couldn’t compile a full list, but that doesn’t mean the details aren’t out there.

Nigeria is a team effort, please.  Leave a comment under this article, send us a DM on Twitter, Instagram or Threads,  or just tag us to where we can find it.

We only have ourselves, so.

The It is Not Well Index

Another way to help—the easiest, really—is by simply sharing this article. Send it to your group chat, post it on your stories, and share it on your social media. We believe in you.

Remember, Nigeria might not always feel like it listens, but silence guarantees nothing changes.