MANAGEMENT OF SOCIAL MEDIA, INTRANET/INTERNET IN THE NIGERIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM

Abstract

The integration of social media platforms and intranet/internet systems into educational environments has transformed how students, teachers, and administrators interact, share information, and conduct academic activities. In Nigeria, the management of these tools presents unique opportunities and challenges due to infrastructural limitations, policy gaps, socio-economic inequalities, and varying levels of digital literacy. Properly managed, social media can enhance student engagement, foster collaborative learning, and create interactive educational communities, while intranet and internet infrastructures can improve institutional communication, administrative efficiency, and access to e-learning resources. Conversely, mismanagement can result in distractions, cyber insecurity, data privacy breaches, digital divides, and reputational risks for institutions. Drawing on national policies such as the National Policy on ICT in Education and the National Digital Learning Policy, alongside empirical evidence from Nigerian and global scholarship, this paper analyses the strategic management of social media and intranet/internet in Nigerian education. The paper highlights governance frameworks, capacity building, pedagogical design, and technical infrastructure as critical pillars for sustainable implementation. Recommendations include developing institutional social media policies, phased intranet deployment, promoting digital literacy, and aligning institutional practices with national ICT frameworks.