From Newspaper Op-Eds to Twitter Threads: The Changing Landscape of Opinion Expression and Public Discourse in Nigeria

ABSTRACT Background: The proliferation of social media has expanded opportunities for participatory journalism and transformed how individuals produce, disseminate and engage with media content. While existing scholarship has extensively examined the relationship between journalism and social media, comparatively limited attention has been paid to the emerging forms and genres of journalistic content circulating on these platforms. One such emerging form is the Twitter thread, which increasingly provides opportunities for sustained opinion expression beyond the traditional newspaper opinion-editorial format. Objectives: This study examined how Twitter threads are being used as alternative platforms for opinion expression and the implications for public discourse in Nigeria. Method: The study adopted a qualitative approach, examining opinion-oriented Twitter threads from three selected Nigerian Twitter accounts to explore their similarities with traditional newspaper op-eds and their contribution to public discourse. Results: The analysis demonstrated that journalists and ordinary citizens increasingly use Twitter threads to articulate personal opinions, interpret public issues and contribute to ongoing societal conversations in ways that resemble newspaper opinion-editorial writing. Conclusion: Twitter threads are emerging as alternative spaces for opinion journalism, broadening access to public commentary and reshaping the dynamics of opinion expression and public discourse in Nigeria. Unique Contribution: The study extends scholarship on digital journalism by examining the Twitter thread as an emerging genre of online opinion expression and highlighting its relationship with the traditional newspaper op-ed. Key Recommendation: Journalists, media educators and digital media practitioners should promote responsible, evidence-based and ethically informed opinion expression on social media to strengthen the quality of public discourse.