The Role of Social Media in Peace Building and Conflict Resolution in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract The persistent ethno-religious conflicts in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, represent a significant challenge, marked by cycles of violence, displacement, and immense loss. While traditional media have long shaped narratives around these crises, the rapid proliferation of social media has introduced a complex and often volatile new dimension to the conflict landscape. Platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, with their unparalleled speed and reach, can both foster community dialogue and dangerously escalate tensions through the unchecked spread of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech. Yet, despite the acknowledged influence of these digital spaces, there has been a notable gap in empirical research specifically exploring how ordinary users in Jos perceive this dual-edged role. This study was therefore designed to bridge that gap, moving beyond qualitative analyses of media content to quantitatively investigate the perceptions of social media users themselves. Guided by Agenda-Setting Theory, which explains how the media shapes public discourse, the study employed a survey inferential research design. Data was collected from 369 active social media users in the Jos metropolis using a structured questionnaire, with respondents selected through a multi-stage sampling technique from the Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas. The findings reveal a complex and ambivalent digital landscape. A simple majority of respondents (59.1%) reported encountering hate speech or inciting content frequently, and a significant minority (33.9%) admitted a likelihood of sharing unverified information during a crisis. This exposure directly correlates with a widespread perception that social media harms intergroup understanding, with over half (56.3%) of respondents holding this view. Yet, the findings also illuminate a constructive side to these platforms: a similar proportion (59.1%) relies on social media for critical safety alerts during conflicts, and a meaningful segment (33.9%) actively participates in online communities dedicated to peacebuilding. This duality underscores that social media is not inherently a force for good or ill; its impact is contingent on user behaviour and the nature of the content being amplified. The study concludes that while social media currently acts as a significant vector for conflict escalation in Jos, it also holds untapped potential for peace. To harness this potential, it is recommended that stakeholders implement targeted interventions, including strengthening digital literacy and verification training for youth, institutionalising official early-warning channels on popular platforms, and partnering with trusted local influencers to amplify credible peace messaging. These evidence-based strategies are crucial for mitigating the risks associated with social media while leveraging its capacity to foster a more informed and resilient community.

Keywords: social media, conflict escalation, peacebuilding, user perceptions, misinformation