Abstract:
The use of modern information and communication technologies to disseminate information has been
trending long before the outbreak of global Covid-19 pandemic. Since the outbreak of this highly infectious
virus and its high mortality rate, new media has been used to inform and educate Nigerians about the danger
COVID-19 poses to human existence. This study analytically reviews the efficacy of new media in creating
awareness about the outbreak and spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the various measures
put in place to inform Nigerians on how to curtail its spread in Nigeria. The method used for the study is an
analytical review of the use of social media for creating awareness about the outbreak and spread of
coronavirus in Nigeria. The review confirms that inspite of its misuse, social media has been extensively
used to inform the populace about the outbreak, spread and prevention of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
The study therefore concludes that social or new media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp,
Instagram, and others were mostly used for creating awareness among Nigerians about the outbreak, spread
and preventive measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The study concludes that
social media misuse is a policy issue and therefore, the Federal Government of Nigeria should formulate
policy to check social media misuse, misinformation and fake news in Nigeria.
