Media Framing of Socio-Political Discourse in Nigeria
Main Article Content
Abstract
Media framing plays a significant role in shaping public understanding of socio-political issues by influencing how events, actors, policies, and national debates are selected, presented, and interpreted. In Nigeria, where the media operates within a complex socio-political environment characterised by ethnic, religious, economic, and ideological divisions, the framing of public discourse has important implications for citizens' perceptions and democratic engagement. This study examines the framing of socio-political discourse in Nigeria, with particular attention to how the media constructs and represents political and social issues in the public sphere. Anchored in Framing Theory, the study adopts a qualitative research approach based on secondary data. Data are drawn from existing scholarly literature, journal articles, books, media reports, policy documents, and other relevant published sources on media framing and socio-political discourse in Nigeria. The data are reviewed and thematically analysed to identify dominant framing patterns, recurring themes, and the broader implications of media representations for public understanding and democratic discourse. The study argues that media framing extends beyond the presentation of events to influence how audiences interpret political actors, governance, public policies, and societal challenges. It concludes that balanced, responsible, and context-sensitive media framing is essential for promoting informed public debate, democratic participation, social cohesion, and accountable governance in Nigeria.
Article Details
How to Cite
Success, O., Carol Dixon Odoyi, & Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada. (2026). Media Framing of Socio-Political Discourse in Nigeria. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 6(3), 224-232. Retrieved from https://www.biarjournal.com/index.php/polit/article/view/1585
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Articles
References
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Okafor, C., & Fagbemi, A. (2020). Newspaper coverage of Nigerian elections: A framing analysis. Journal of Media and Politics in Africa,
Okeke, M. (2021). Media framing of insecurity in Nigeria: Implications for national integration. Journal of African Media Studies, 13(3), 457–474.
Okoro, N. (2024). Media ownership and political framing in Nigerian print media. African Journalism Studies, 45(3), 155–172.
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Oso, L., & Onyedike, C. (2023). Media framing of climate change and environmental issues in Nigeria: Trends and implications. Journal of African Media Studies, 15(1), 23–40.
Political Science, 24(1), 1–22.
Saint, E. J., Aondover, E. M., Ebele, U. C., & Onyejelem, T. E. (2024). Influence of social media on newspaper patronage among lecturers in University of Nigeria, Nsukka. LingLit Journal Scientific Journal for Linguistics and Literature, 5(3), 142-157.
Tanaka, Y. (2024). Media framing in Japanese political reporting. Asian Journal of Communication, 34(1), 22–39.
Tejumaiye, J. (2024). Systematic bias in Nigerian news coverage. Ife: Obafemi Awolowo University Press.
Teniola, O. O., Aondover, E. M., Aondover, P. O., & Akin-Odukoya, O. O. (2025). Audience perceptions of explicit content in Nigerian movies: A study of shanty town. Insight-News Media, 8(1), 634-634.
Usman, B., Eric Msughter, A., & Olaitan Ridwanullah, A. (2022). Social media literacy: fake news consumption and perception of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 9(1), 2138011.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Vitalis, P. O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Okuneye, A. P. (2023). Understanding advertising in the era of social media. Information System and Smart City, 3(1), 502-502.
Adekunle, A., & Ibrahim, K. (2024). Challenges facing Nigerian newspapers in the digital era. Journal of Media and Communication Studies, 14(3), 45–58.
Adelakun, T. (2023). Professional standards and ethics in Nigerian journalism. Ibadan: University Press.
Adelakun, T. (2024). Media framing and political polarization in Nigeria. African Journal of
Ademosu, I., Aondover, E. M., Osadolor, B., & Abraham, B. (2025). Divisive politics: analysis of ethnic rhetoric and hate speech in the 2023 Lagos Governorship elections. Frontiers in Political Science, 7, 1663797.
Adewale, O. C., Aondover, E. M., & Ubah, V. I. (2025). Audience Perception of the Reportage of 2023 Presidential Elections in Nigeria: An Analysis of Facebook Posts of Selected Newspaper Organisations. In Elections in the Global South and North-A Comprehensive Overview. IntechOpen.
Akinwalere, O. (2021). Media framing and political discourse in Nigeria: A content analysis of newspaper coverage. Studies in Media and
Aondover, E. M. (2024). Media Outlook of Hate Speech in the 2015 and 2019 General Elections in Nigeria. Rotura–Revista de Comunicação, Cultura e Artes, 4(1), 50-63.
Aondover, E. M., & Ademosu, I. (2025). E-learning practices of journalism education in Nigerian higher education institutions: Conceptual context and challenges. In Media and communication systems for sustainability in Nigeria (pp. 451-464). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
Aondover, E. M., Daushe, A. U., Ogunbola, O., & Aondover, P. O. (2025). Media coverage of internally displaced persons in two selected newspapers in Nigeria. Journal of Migration and Health, 11, 100301.
Aondover, E. M., Yar’Adua, S. M., & Aondover, P. O. (2025). Influence of Digital Images on the Propagation of Fake News on Twitter in Russia and Ukraine Crisis. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 59-74.
Cacciatore, M. A., Scheufele, D. A., & Iyengar, S. (2016). The end of framing as we know it… and the future of media effects. Mass Communication and Society, 19(1), 7–23.
Carragee, K. M., & Roefs, W. (2020). The neglect of power in recent framing research. Journalism Studies, 21(6), 745–762.
Chong, D., & Druckman, J. N. (2021). Framing theory. Annual Review of
Coe, K., & Scacco, J. M. (2017). Content Analysis, Quantitative. In The International Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods (p.
Communication, 9(3), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.11114/smc.v9i3.5381
De Vreese, C. H., & Lecheler, S. (2023). News framing and public opinion:
Duff, P. A. (2007). Qualitative Approaches to Classroom Research with
English Language Learners (p. 973). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-46301-8_65
Garba, S., & Msaughter, A. E. (2023a). Newspaper Content Analysis of 2012-2015 Ombaste Ethnic Conflict in Nasarawa State: A Framing Theory Perspective. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 10 (2), 69-77.
Garba, S., & Msughter, A. E. (2023b). Beyond the framing process: An X-ray of newspaper reportage of conflicts in Northern Nigeria. Unisia, 41(2).
Ibrahim, S. (2024). Media regulation and professional conduct in Nigerian newspapers. Kano: Northern Lights Publishing.
Idris, M. K., & Msughter, A. E. (2022). Sources of Information on National Issues among Border Communities in Yobe State, Nigeria. ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement, 6(1), 22-47.
Kuchi, M. G., & Msughter, A. E. (2023). Press Coverage of Agricultural News: A Content Analysis of Selected Newspapers. Madonna Journal Of English & Literary Studies (MAJELS), 4(1), 29-29.
Kumar, R. (2024). Ownership and media framing in Indian newspapers. Media and Society, 12(4), 210–230.
Lagos: Brightline Academic Publishers.
Maiwada, A. A., Aondover, P. O., Adewale, O. C., Falobi, F., & Onyejelem, T. E. (2025). Public Relations and Media Role in Peace Building in Nigeria. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 45-58.
Maradun, L. U., & Aondover, E. M. (2025). Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Towards COVID-19 Prevention Messages on Media in North-West, Nigeria. African Journalism Studies, 1-19.
Mbeki, T. (2024). Media bias and framing in South African press. Journal of African Political Studies, 18(1), 34–49.
McCombs, M. (2024). Setting the agenda: The mass media and public
Mohammed, I., & Aondover, E. M. (2025). News coverage of humanitarian crisis: a study of banditry in Northwest Nigeria. In Handbook on Humanitarian Crises (pp. 209-217). Edward Elgar Publishing.
New developments and future directions. Communication Theory,
Obamuyi, T. M., & Fapetu, O. (2022). Socio-political challenges in Nigeria and their implications for development. Nigerian Journal of Social Sciences, 8(1), 12–28.
Ogunwale, B. (2023). Tone and objectivity in Nigerian political reporting.
Okafor, C., & Fagbemi, A. (2020). Newspaper coverage of Nigerian elections: A framing analysis. Journal of Media and Politics in Africa,
Okeke, M. (2021). Media framing of insecurity in Nigeria: Implications for national integration. Journal of African Media Studies, 13(3), 457–474.
Okoro, N. (2024). Media ownership and political framing in Nigerian print media. African Journalism Studies, 45(3), 155–172.
Okunade, J. K., Amaechi, D. O., Olopha, A., & Aondover, E. M. (2025). Media Silence on Suicide in Nigeria's News Coverage. Feedback International Journal of Communication, 2(2), 86-96.
opinion. Polity Press.
Oreoluwa, P. A., Vitalis, P. O., Nneka, A. Q., Collins-Dike, J., & Ridwan, M. (2024). Online Harassment of Female Journalist in Lagos State. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 4(3), 162-174.
Oso, L., & Onyedike, C. (2023). Media framing of climate change and environmental issues in Nigeria: Trends and implications. Journal of African Media Studies, 15(1), 23–40.
Political Science, 24(1), 1–22.
Saint, E. J., Aondover, E. M., Ebele, U. C., & Onyejelem, T. E. (2024). Influence of social media on newspaper patronage among lecturers in University of Nigeria, Nsukka. LingLit Journal Scientific Journal for Linguistics and Literature, 5(3), 142-157.
Tanaka, Y. (2024). Media framing in Japanese political reporting. Asian Journal of Communication, 34(1), 22–39.
Tejumaiye, J. (2024). Systematic bias in Nigerian news coverage. Ife: Obafemi Awolowo University Press.
Teniola, O. O., Aondover, E. M., Aondover, P. O., & Akin-Odukoya, O. O. (2025). Audience perceptions of explicit content in Nigerian movies: A study of shanty town. Insight-News Media, 8(1), 634-634.
Usman, B., Eric Msughter, A., & Olaitan Ridwanullah, A. (2022). Social media literacy: fake news consumption and perception of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 9(1), 2138011.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Vitalis, P. O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Okuneye, A. P. (2023). Understanding advertising in the era of social media. Information System and Smart City, 3(1), 502-502.