DIASPORA AND TRANSNATIONAL ACTIVISM: THE ROLE OF THE NIGERIAN DIASPORA IN AMPLIFYING THE #ENDSARS PROTESTS

Research Problem: The unprecedented nationwide protests that engulfed Nigerian in 2020 by the teeming youth against widespread police brutality, framed using the hashtag (#) EndSARS, continue to attract scholarship. One area that has received less attention is the role of Nigerians in the diaspora in amplifying the concerns of the protesters and giving impetus to their demands. While the involvement of activists in the diaspora help to attract global attention to the matter, it further reveals the dynamics of transnational activism, as driven by young people. This study addresses this important area. Methods/theory: The paper adopts a qualitative approach that analyses secondary data sourced from peer reviewed journal articles, briefs, reports, newspaper articles and internet sources to underscore the pivotal role Nigerians in the diaspora, through transnational activism supported the EndSARS movement, especially using digital tools such as Twitter (now X), WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. Results: The paper found that Nigerian diaspora leveraged these platforms to solicit solidarity and driving online and offline participation. These platforms enabled protesters to bypass traditional media, organize demonstrations, and raise transnational awareness, particularly from international figures and celebrities. Conclusion: Through online campaigns, activists demanded justice from victims of police brutality and reforms in governance. Key Contribution to Knowledge: This digital activism connected participants across borders, providing a platform for political expression and support that contributed significantly to the movement’s visibility. Recommendations: Nigerian state should institutionalize diaspora participation, strengthen secure digital platforms, and build global alliances ensuring accountability, civic expression protection, and sustainable transnational activism.