Islamic Communicative Ethics and the Moral Crisis of Social Media in Nigeria

Abstract : The rapid expansion of social media in Nigeria has transformed civic engagement and public communication but has also intensified ethical challenges, including misinformation, cyberbullying, hate speech, political manipulation, and declining public civility. This study examines these developments through the normative framework of Islamic communicative ethics, grounded in Qur’ānic and Prophetic principles of truthfulness, verification, responsible speech, restraint, and harm-avoidance. Employing a multidisciplinary qualitative approach that integrates Islamic ethical theory, media studies, and analysis of Nigeria’s socio-political context, the study interrogates the moral foundations of digital misconduct. The findings indicate that persistent abuses within Nigeria’s online sphere are not merely regulatory or technological failures but manifestations of weakened moral orientation and diminished communicative responsibility. The erosion of ethical speech norms has contributed to ethno-religious tensions, political polarisation, reputational harm, and declining social trust. The study demonstrates that Islamic communicative ethics offers a coherent and contextually resonant framework for reorienting digital behaviour toward accountability, civility, and communal welfare. It concludes that embedding value-driven ethical principles in digital literacy, public discourse, and policy development is essential for fostering a healthier and more socially cohesive online public sphere in Nigeria.