Social Media, Stakeholders' Engagement and Rural Community Development in Akwa Ibom State: A Perceptual Study

Abstract: This study investigates the potential of social media platforms to facilitate stakeholder engagement for sustainable development in rural communities within Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Despite the government's efforts, sustainable development in these regions remains inadequate, necessitating a collaborative approach involving individual stakeholders. The study aims to determine if social media can enhance stakeholder interactions, leading to the identification and resolution of developmental challenges. The research employs a quantitative design, utilizing an online survey method to collect data from a sample size of 385 residents, derived through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The instrument, a researcher-structured online questionnaire, was validated and achieved a reliability score of 83% via the Cronbach Alpha method. Descriptive statistics and Spearman Rank Correlation were used to analyze the data. The study addresses key questions, including the extent of social media usage among stakeholders, the perceived convenience and effectiveness of different platforms, and the types of sustainable development activities facilitated through these interactions. Findings will reveal the correlations between social media usage and stakeholder engagement, as well as between engagement levels and sustainable development activities implemented in rural communities. This research underscores the importance of leveraging social media to foster continuous and effective stakeholder collaboration, moving beyond reliance on government interventions. It contributes to the discourse on digital tools in community development, proposing a theory of sustainable development through stakeholder collaboration facilitated by social media. The study advocates for increased stakeholder participation in rural development, highlighting the role of social media in achieving this goal.