EXPLORING YOUTH SOCIAL MEDIA USE FOR ENHANCEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS OF NIGERIA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

This study investigates the role of social media in enhancing agricultural
extension services among youths in rural Nigeria, with a focus on its usage, the challenges
encountered, and strategies for improvement. A systematic literature review was conducted
using Google Scholar as the primary database to identify relevant studies. The search strategy
employed Boolean operators to combine keywords such as “„youth,‟ „social media,‟
„agricultural extension services,‟ and „Nigeria‟ or „rural areas.‟” The inclusion criteria were
tailored to select studies focusing on youth in rural areas of Nigeria, the use of social media
platforms for agricultural extension, and studies that specifically address the Nigerian
context. A total of 66 articles were initially identified 7 of which met the inclusion criteria
after thorough screening and quality assessment. The results reveal that while platforms such
as WhatsApp and Facebook are utilized by youths for agricultural information exchange,
significant barriers, including limited ICT infrastructure, inadequate training, and
sociocultural constraints, among others, impede their effectiveness. The study suggests that
addressing these challenges through targeted policy interventions and capacity-building
initiatives can increase the potential of social media as a tool for agricultural development.
These insights can inform stakeholders on the benefits of leveraging social media to promote
innovation, improve productivity, and support food security in rural Nigeria.