A new report reveals a stark digital divide between Nigeria’s cabinet ministers and the country’s rapidly growing online population, with most ministers neglecting key social media platforms like TikTok and LinkedIn despite a collective following of 17 million across major networks.
The Nigerian Cabinet Social Media Report 2025, released by UK-based digital strategy firm Column, underscores concerns about government accessibility and transparency in a nation where 39% of its 236 million citizens are active internet users.
With Nigeria’s social media user base projected to hit 103 million by 2026, the report highlights missed opportunities for engagement.
The 51 ministers maintain a robust presence on Twitter, amassing 9.4 million followers, followed by 4.8 million on Facebook and 2.2 million on Instagram. However, only seven ministers are active on TikTok, and just 17 utilize LinkedIn, platforms increasingly vital for reaching younger and professional audiences.
“This imbalance is striking, especially given Nigeria’s youthful population and the government’s commitment to digital transformation,” the report stated. “Ministers are engaging where they feel comfortable, not necessarily where their constituents are.”
A handful of top officials dominate the Nigerian cabinet’s digital footprint.
President Tinubu (4.5 million followers), Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila (1.6 million), Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate (1.46 million), Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo (1.37 million), and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike (1.33 million) together account for over 60% of the cabinet’s total social media audience. In stark contrast, many other ministers have minimal online presence, with two lacking any identifiable social media accounts.
The median follower count per minister is just 64,609, raising serious questions about inclusivity, transparency, and the government’s ability to engage a broad digital public.
One notable exception is the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, who stands out as the only cabinet member active across all five major social media platforms—Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
Meanwhile, the report flags a troubling trend: ministries with youth-oriented or public-facing mandates—such as Youth, Education, Women Affairs, and Information—are among the least visible online, despite being the ones that could benefit most from strong digital engagement.
With Nigeria’s social media users expected to reach 103 million by 2026, the current figure of 17 million highlights just a small portion of the potential audience — underscoring significant opportunities for growth, engagement, and digital investment.
The report ends with clear recommendations for Nigeria’s cabinet to close the digital divide. It emphasizes the need for intentional visibility, particularly from ministries focused on youth and social development, by adopting platform-specific strategies: Twitter for real-time communication, Instagram to humanize leadership, TikTok to engage young audiences, LinkedIn to reinforce policy credibility, and Facebook to foster community interaction.
