CONSUMERISM IN THE NEW MEDIA: AN APPRAISAL OF THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE*'

This paper critically considers the concept of consumerism and factors that have given rise to it in Nigeria; factors such as misleading advertising, short-changing of customers through sub-standard products, higbprices and production of injurious products. The papep further explains that Nigerians consumers are now better guided when making purchase decisions owing to new media platforms such as the social media, online shopping bots, search engines, blogs, e-newspapers and phone calls/SMS which have given them a bigger voice, better information access,' more product options and the capacity to detect lies told by sales personnel about products. Issues such as the disruption of the management of the relationship between companies and the simulation for acquisition of excessive products which leads to wastage and environmental pollution were raised as new mediainjluenced consumerism problems in the discourse. The paper concludes that though the impact of new media on consumerism is undeniable, more needs to be done to fully protect consumer interest in Nigeria. The paper recommends that consumers need to yield themselves to consumer rights education even as the government, mass Media and consumer rights organisations further intensify efforts in creating more awareness on the consumerism movement. Business organisations are also encouraged to adopt consumer-oriented philosophy.