Ridwanullah Abdulhameed is a Ph.D. candidate in Interdisciplinary Design and Media at Northeastern. He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Bayero University in Nigeria. His research focuses on how technology intersects with culture and politics, especially the impact of hate speech in Nigerian languages on democracy.

CTM’s Communication Research Assistant, Raja Antony Mandal, sat down with Ridwanullah to talk about his work, his thoughts on digital platforms, and his experience studying in the United States.

This interview was edited for length and clarity.

Center for Transformative Media: Ridwanullah, thank you so much for your time. Let’s start with your research. I’d love to hear how you first became interested in your research topics.

Ridwanullah Abdulhameed: Primarily, my background is in mass communication. Coming from Nigeria, I noticed how social media quickly became a part of our everyday lives. It interested me how people use these platforms, what motivates them, and how they shape Nigerian culture. I joined Twitter back in 2010 and saw a lot of incivility, especially around political discussions. That really struck me. It led to my Master’s thesis on the spread of hate speech on Twitter in Nigeria, especially during election campaigns. 

That was the turning point for me. From that moment on, I became really curious about how social media influences what people think and say, especially when it comes to politics. I wanted to dig deeper and learn how this online behavior connects to offline actions, like voting or protesting. It also made me realize how language plays a big role in spreading hate.

CTM: When studying what people do online, do you mostly read their posts, talk to them, or use other methods like social listening?

RA: These days, just reading posts isn’t enough. We must understand why people post what they do and how they interact with others. That’s why I use multiple methods—reading content, conducting interviews, and even doing digital ethnography. That means I join online communities, follow conversations, and try to see things from their perspective. I think it’s important to get a full picture, not just from numbers or data, but from real people. 

For example, I might follow a Facebook group for months, watching how people talk about political candidates or issues, and then talk to a few of them privately to understand why they posted what they did.

CTM: That makes sense. It’s not just about watching from the sidelines but actually being part of the conversation. Speaking of these platforms, what role do you think social media companies should play in addressing problems like misinformation or harmful speech in Nigeria?

RA: They definitely have a role to play. They should partner with local regulators and communities to understand the cultural context. Facebook, for instance, has done a good job engaging local actors. Platforms need to hire content moderators who understand Nigeria’s languages and social norms. Harmful content often gets overlooked simply because it’s not in English. Also, education is key, and people must know how to use these tools responsibly. 

I believe tech companies can’t just apply one-size-fits-all policies. What works in the U.S. may not work in Nigeria. A lot of harmful posts use slang or regional dialects that foreign moderators won’t recognize. So, without local input, these platforms miss a lot. Also, I’d love to see more investment in digital literacy campaigns, maybe even in schools or communities, so people can learn how to spot fake news or avoid spreading hate. It’s not just about removing content but about building a more thoughtful online culture.

CTM: Absolutely. It’s not just about deleting harmful posts; it’s about understanding where they come from. Now, shifting gears a bit, when women in Nigeria use social media to express themselves or challenge norms, how does that impact their relationships at home or in their communities?

RA: That’s such an important question. Nigeria is very diverse, so the reactions vary. Social media gives women a voice and more independence, which can be empowering. But it also brings pushback. Take the case of Rahma Sadau, a popular actress who was banned from the film industry just for dancing in a music video. Social media made her case widely known, and she got support, even from Akon. However, being vocal online can lead to criticism or even family conflict for many women. Still, it gives them a platform to advocate for change. 

In some communities, a woman speaking out online is seen as disrespectful, which can cause tension with relatives or neighbors. But for others, it’s inspiring. It encourages more women to speak up about issues like education, domestic violence, or even entrepreneurship.

CTM: That shows how powerful and risky social media can be for women trying to make their voices heard. However, not everyone in Nigeria has the same level of internet access. How does that digital divide affect whose voices we actually hear online?

RA: That’s where things get tricky. People in cities with better education and internet access dominate online conversations. Meanwhile, people in rural areas, especially where literacy is low, rely more on traditional media like radio. So, we’re missing a huge part of the population in online spaces. And because of that, the online narrative can be misleading. 

You might think the entire country supports a particular issue or movement just by looking at Twitter, but that’s only a slice of the population. Some rural communities don’t even have consistent electricity, let alone smartphones or cell data. So their concerns and perspectives are often invisible online. That’s why I believe researchers and policymakers need to consider both online and offline voices to get a fuller picture.

CTM: It really highlights how online spaces don’t reflect the full picture. So, if you could suggest one big thing to either the Nigerian government or these tech platforms, what would it be?

RA: I think governments and platforms need to work together. Platforms should hire local moderators and improve cultural understanding. Governments, on the other hand, should write fair and thoughtful policies. Such policies protect free speech but also curb harmful behavior. We need to design regulations for the digital world just like we do for the physical world. I would also suggest setting up advisory councils that include academics, tech experts, civil society leaders, and even young people. 

These councils could help platforms understand emerging trends and challenges in real time. Governments must avoid censorship but still act quickly when online activity leads to violence or unrest. Everyone must come to the table, especially now that digital spaces are shaping politics and society in big ways.

CTM: That balance is so important, as well as freedom and safety working side by side. Now, you mentioned that many Nigerians use social media just for fun. How does that kind of entertainment use fit into more serious uses, like activism or political discussion?

RA: Nigerians are naturally humorous. Skits, jokes, memes, they’re everywhere. It’s a way of coping with real-world problems. 

But humor is also a political tool. People use satire to comment on corruption, poor infrastructure or leadership issues. It’s smart because it makes serious points more lightly, and sometimes it helps avoid backlash. 

Someone like Dan Bello, for example, uses humor to expose corruption, and people listen because it’s entertaining and honest. I think humor allows people to say things they might not be able to say directly. It’s safer. A funny meme about a bad road or a missing public fund can go viral faster than a news article. It sparks conversation, but it also makes people think.

CTM: I love that; it’s like humor becomes a form of resistance. Now, as someone who’s lived and studied in both Nigeria and the U.S., how has being here changed how you think about social media?

RA: Living in the U.S. gave me a new perspective. There’s more pressure here on platforms to be transparent and accountable. For example, TikTok was questioned by Congress; things like that rarely happen in Nigeria. Also, these companies spend more on moderation in the U.S. 

But a major issue is that global platforms apply Western standards to everyone, including Nigerians. That doesn’t work. We need moderation that understands local languages and context. Still, I’ve come to really admire how Nigerians use limited resources to do so much online. The creativity is amazing. From grassroots campaigns to digital art, people find ways to express themselves and build communities, even with poor infrastructure. 

CTM: That comparison is so striking; it shows both the gaps and the resilience. So, looking ahead, what do you hope your research will lead to after you finish your degree?

RA: I want my research to help shape policies where technology meets governance. We regulate physical spaces, so why not digital ones? My goal is to offer guidance for building better internet rules in countries like Nigeria. I want to highlight how platforms fail to serve people whose cultures and languages they don’t understand and push for a more inclusive online space. I also hope to work with governments, international bodies, or NGOs to help design digital literacy programs that fit local needs. It’s not just about stopping harm online, but also empowering more people to use these platforms for education, activism, and entrepreneurship. 

CTM: That’s a powerful mission, Ridwanullah. Thank you.