LESSON FROM EXTENSION OF COMMUNICATION: BUILDING VIABLE DEMOCRATIC AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN NIGERIA

This study ascertained lesson from extension of communication: building viable democratic and information systems in Nigeria. The study anchored on the agenda setting theory. This study adopted a library research design. The population of this study included all available academic literature related to communication systems, media freedom, digital access, and democracy in Nigeria. From this population, a sample size of approximately 10 scholarly sources was selected, based on relevance and recency. The sampling technique employed was purposive sampling. Data were collected through an extensive review of relevant literature. Content analysis was used to critically evaluate and interpret the findings from various sources. Key themes, trends, and gaps in the literature were identified and analysed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of communication systems in promoting democracy in Nigeria. The findings revealed that the communication systems in Nigeria, both traditional and digital, significantly influence democratic engagement by providing platforms for political discourse, information dissemination, and citizen mobilization; however, challenges such as limited access in rural areas, media bias, and the spread of misinformation hinder full democratic participation, particularly among marginalized populations. The study concluded that the analysis indicates that while communication systems play a vital role in fostering democratic engagement in Nigeria, significant barriers to access and the prevalence of misinformation limit the effectiveness of these systems in enabling full civic participation. The study recommended that to enhance democratic engagement, it is essential to improve access to communication channels, particularly in rural areas, while promoting media literacy initiatives that help citizens navigate and critically evaluate information.