A new report by digital communications firm, Column, has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commands the largest online presence among members of his Cabinet, with 4.5 million followers across major social media platforms.
The report, released on April 11, 2025, provides a comprehensive snapshot of the digital visibility of Nigeria’s federal ministers—and raises critical questions about the state of government engagement in the digital era.
According to the report, the combined online following of Nigeria’s 51 ministers across Twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok stands at approximately 17 million followers.
However, a staggering 60% of that figure is concentrated in just five individuals, underscoring a sharp imbalance in digital engagement across the Cabinet.
At the top of the list is President Tinubu, who alone accounts for 26.6% of the Cabinet’s total digital reach. He is followed by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila with 1.6 million followers, and Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, with 1.46 million followers.
Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, ranks fourth with 1.37 million, while FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, rounds out the top five with 1.33 million followers.
Despite heading a ministry centered on digital innovation, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, did not appear in the top five, a surprising omission that has raised eyebrows within the digital policy space.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, two ministers have zero presence across all five platforms, while several others have fewer than 500 followers—an indication of poor or nonexistent online communication strategies.
The platform of choice among government officials remains Twitter (X), where most ministers are active, amassing a collective 9.4 million followers. Facebook follows with 4.8 million, Instagram trails with 2.1 million, while TikTok and LinkedIn show minimal adoption despite their increasing relevance.
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Only seven ministers actively use TikTok, and just 17 have a presence on LinkedIn, the professional networking platform commonly used by policymakers, development partners, and international agencies.
A standout figure is Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, who is the only minister with verified activity across all five platforms, setting a precedent for what digital-savvy public engagement can look like.
In contrast, two ministers are active on only one platform, while a significant number have dormant or poorly maintained accounts, further weakening the Cabinet’s overall digital reach and visibility.
Column’s report highlights a growing digital imbalance in Nigeria’s Cabinet, warning that over-reliance on a few online heavyweights undermines broader efforts at transparent and inclusive governance.
“For a government committed to openness and citizen connection, this imbalance presents both a challenge and a strategic opportunity,” the report stated.
“A truly connected cabinet should reflect broad, consistent engagement across ministries—not just a handful of online heavyweights.”
With Nigeria’s population exceeding 236 million, and a median age of just 18, the digital space is rapidly becoming a primary arena for public discourse, policy communication, and citizen engagement.
“In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, the way public officials communicate with citizens must evolve,” the report concluded. “A digitally absent leadership risks losing touch with the very people it serves.”
As Nigeria continues to navigate digital transformation, the report underscores the urgent need for a coherent, Cabinet-wide digital communication strategy—one that reflects the scale, diversity, and digital realities of the Nigerian populace.
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