Digital echoes of capitalism: a Marxist exploration of class disparities in Nigerian Facebook poetry

This study examines the intersection of literature, socio-economic critique, and digital activism through Facebook poetry by Nigerian poets Tauchee Udogu and Kingdom Nta. Using Marxist theory as the primary analytical lens, supported by insights from segmented labour market theories and institutional economics, the study investigates how poetry reflects and critiques systemic inequalities in Nigeria. Analysis of three selected poems reveals how language, through lexical, syntactic and semantic choices, articulates class disparities, labour exploitation and the socio-political consequences of capitalist structures. Emphasising Leech’s stylistic framework allows the study to connect form with meaning, showing how these formal choices intensify the poems’ socio-economic critique. The study demonstrates that Facebook poetry functions as a form of literary activism, enabling poets to engage audiences in critical reflection on social injustice and economic inequity. These insights show how Nigerian digital poetry aligns with broader global discussions on social justice, particularly in relation to Sustainable Development Goals 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities), by highlighting structural barriers to equity and advocating for systemic change. The findings contribute a novel understanding of how stylistic and thematic strategies in digital poetry can amplify counter-hegemonic discourse and foster socio-political awareness in contemporary African literary practice.