President Bola Tinubu commands the highest digital footprint in Nigeria’s federal cabinet, boasting 4.5 million followers across major social media platforms, according to a new report by digital communications firm Column. The report, which assessed the social media presence of Nigeria’s 51 ministers as of April 11, 2025, reveals that Tinubu alone accounts for 26.6% of the entire cabinet’s combined following of approximately 17 million people.
The findings highlight an overwhelming imbalance in digital engagement, raising questions about communication strategy and accessibility in a country where over 70% of the population is under 30 and heavily online.
Few Ministers Dominate, Majority Invisible
According to Column’s breakdown, five ministers are responsible for more than 60% of the total online audience, while two ministers have zero social media presence altogether.
Following President Tinubu in terms of reach are:
- Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff – 1.6 million followers
- Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, Minister of Health – 1.46 million
- Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation – 1.37 million
- Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory – 1.33 million
Interestingly, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy—arguably the most tech-centric portfolio—does not make the top five, despite his strong background in technology and startups.
Only Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, is active on all five major platforms: Twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
Platform Preferences: Twitter Dominates, TikTok and LinkedIn Trail
The most utilized platform among Nigerian ministers is Twitter (X), which accounts for 9.4 million followers—more than half the entire digital audience of the cabinet. This is followed by:
- Facebook – 4.8 million
- Instagram – 2.1 million
- TikTok – marginal presence with only 7 ministers active
- LinkedIn – only 17 ministers maintain a presence
The median followership per minister is just over 64,000, a modest figure given Nigeria’s massive population and increasingly digital-savvy youth demographic. Several ministers reportedly maintain inactive or poorly updated profiles, further highlighting gaps in engagement.
Experts React: “A Strategic Blind Spot”
Digital analysts view the results as a missed opportunity for governance in an era where public trust and information flow are heavily influenced by online visibility.
“The digital landscape is where today’s public conversations, criticisms, and consensus are formed,” said Ized Uanikhehi, a Nigerian tech communications strategist, in response to the report. “When government figures are absent from this space, they essentially exclude themselves from the feedback loop that drives modern democracy.”
Column’s report also emphasized this point, stating:
“For a government committed to openness and citizen connection, this imbalance presents both a challenge and a strategic opportunity. A truly connected cabinet should reflect broad, consistent engagement across ministries—not just a handful of online heavyweights.”
Why It Matters
In a country where digital media has become a primary source of news and civic discourse, the cabinet’s underwhelming social media adoption represents both a communication gap and a credibility risk. Ministries responsible for youth development, public health, education, and innovation are expected to lead on digital platforms—not fall behind.
Beyond optics, digital presence directly influences:
- Public trust and transparency
- Youth engagement and inclusion
- Crisis communication and rumor control
- Policy awareness and feedback loops
“The days of issuing press releases alone are gone,” said Tope Fasua, an economist and media commentator. “Ministers who stay offline are missing a vital part of their leadership role. People want to hear from real humans, not just institutions.”
What Comes Next?
The report ends with a recommendation for a more strategic, coordinated digital communications approach across government, including training, content planning, and the use of analytics to improve public outreach.
With Nigeria navigating complex challenges from inflation and unemployment to healthcare and insecurity, a digitally present cabinet could help bridge the trust gap between citizens and policymakers.
