Celebrity Culture and Journalism Practice in Nigeria
Keywords:
Celebrity, Culture, Journalism, Nigeria and Practice
Abstract
Celebrity culture and journalism practice in Nigeria are closely intertwined, reflecting the growing influence of celebrities in shaping public opinion, culture, and media consumption. Nigerian celebrities are often products of the media, with platforms like social media, television, and magazines playing a central role in constructing their public identities. The media industry works to build and maintain celebrity brands, which in turn influences public perception and the celebrity's influence on society. The paper argues that celebrities in Nigeria have a strong presence on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, which amplify their voices and increase their visibility. This has changed the traditional way celebrities are covered by the media, with social media now serving as an important news source and space for celebrities to control their narratives. In Nigeria, entertainment journalism is a significant aspect of mainstream media. A considerable portion of news, especially in tabloids and online media outlets, focuses on celebrity gossip, lifestyle, and controversies. The rise of entertainment reporting has shifted some media outlets from hard news to a more sensational and celebrity-focused approach. The paper concludes that celebrity culture in Nigeria is a major influence on journalism, with entertainment and celebrity news playing a pivotal role in the media landscape. However, this trend comes with ethical challenges, such as maintaining accuracy, respecting privacy, and balancing sensationalism with responsible reporting.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Ahmed, A. H., & Faiq, A. M. (2022). An Investigation into Different Perspectives on the Concept of Celebrity and Celebritized. journal of Language Studies, 5(4, 2), 136-147.
Aliyu, M. A., Msughter, A. E., & Nneka, A. Q. (2023). Comparative Study of National Development Plans in Nigeria and India: Media Dimension. SIASAT, 8(4), 202-212.
Aondover, E. M., & Akin-Odukoya, O. (2024). Trends and Dynamics of Popular Culture and Media Messages on Public Transport Literature in Nigeria. Lakhomi Journal Scientific Journal of Culture, 5(3), 183-195.
Aondover, E. M., Hile,M. M. & Yar’Adua, S. M. (2023). Ethical Issues and Insecurity in Africa: The Media Dimension. Konfrontasi Journal: Culture, Economy and Social Changes, 10 (2), 58-68 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33258/konfrontasi2.v10i2.272.
Aondover, E. M., Igwe, E. C., Akin-Odukoya, O. O., & Ridwan, M. (2024). Influence of Social Media on News Consumption and Credibility in Nigeria. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 11(2), 80-92.
Aondover, E. M., Maradun, L. U., & Yar’Adua, S. M. (2022). Mediatization of the net and internetization of the print media in Northern Nigeria. Unisia, 40(2), 335-356.
Aondover, E. M., Oyeleye, S. A., & Aliyu, M. A. (2023). New World Information and Communication Order and its changing role in Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Kano. Unisia, 41(1).
Aondover, P. O., Aondover, E. M., & Babele, A. M. (2022). Two nations, same technology, different outcomes: Analysis of technology application in Africa and America. Journal of Educational Research and Review, 1(1), 001-008.
Cohen, I. G. (2023). What should ChatGPT mean for bioethics?. The American Journal of Bioethics, 23(10), 8-16.
Das, S. (2022). Tabloidization and the "dumbing down" of journalism: Global perspectives. Journalism Studies, 23(5), 67-81.
Diaz, J. H. (2020). Hypothesis: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers may increase the risk of severe COVID-19. Journal of travel medicine, 27(3), taaa041.
Driessens, O. (2014). Celebrity as a social category: From fame to well-knownness. Sociology Compass, 8(4), 29-41.
Hile, M. M., Msughter, A. E., & Aliyu, M. A. (2023). Secularism and Ethical Issues in Media Practice as a Bane for National Development. SIASAT, 8(3), 166-177.
Idris, M. K., & Msughter, A. E. (2022). Sources of Information on National Issues among Border Communities in Yobe State, Nigeria. ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement, 6(1), 22-47.
Kurfi, M. Y., Msughter, A. E., & Maradun, L. U. (2023). Media Ethics and Power In Multicultural Nigeria. ACSPN.
Mabweazara, H. M. (2018). When your ‘take-home’can hardly take you home: Moonlighting and the quest for economic survival in the Zimbabwean Press. Newsmaking Cultures in Africa: Normative Trends in the Dynamics of Socio-Political & Economic Struggles, 99-117.
Maikaba, B., & Msughter, A. E. (2019). Digital Media and Cultural Globalisation: The Fate of African Value System. Humanities and Social Sciences, 12(1), 214-220.
Menegucci, R. (2022). Celebrity-driven narratives and their social impact: A study of Australian media. International Journal of Media Studies, 28(4), 123-139.
Mojaye, E. M., & Aondover, E. M. (2022). Theoretical perspectives in world information systems: A propositional appraisal of new media-communication imperatives. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 14(1), 100-106.
Motseki, M., & Oyedemi, T. (2017). Beauty standards in celebrity journalism and their social implications for South African youth. Journal of Media and Society, 20(3), 87-102.
Msughter, A. E., & Idris, M. K. (2023). Focus Group Discussions with Rural Women in Yobe State on Information Services for Community Engagement on Development Issues in Nigeria. Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies, 5(2), 9.
Msughter, A. E., Hile, M. M., & Bappa, F. S. (2022). Have you Heard What They Are Doing to Women? Media Portrayal of Female Celebrities in Nigerian Press. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 9(2), 186-197.
Msughter, A. E., Perpetua, A. O., & Itiafa, A. L. (2023). Artificial Intelligence and the Media: Revisiting Digital Dichotomy Theory. In Information Systems Management. IntechOpen.
Msughter, D., Okwari, J., & Omole, A. (2022). Nigerian media and the portrayal of celebrity women: Reinforcing stereotypes through sensational journalism. Gender and Media Journal, 10(2), 66-78.
Obasi, M., & Msughter, A. E. (2023). Representation of African Values in Selected Nigerian Popular Music. Communication Cultures in Africa, 3(1).
Obateru, B. (2017). The rise of celebrity journalism in Nigeria and its effects on journalistic standards. Nigerian Media Journal, 15(2), 89-104.
Olatunji, O., & Jimoh, A. (2014). Soft-sell journalism in Nigeria: A historical perspective on celebrity reporting and entertainment journalism. Journal of African Media Studies, 6(1), 45-67.
Onyejelem, T. E., & Aondover, E. M. (2024). Digital Generative Multimedia Tool Theory (DGMTT): A Theoretical Postulation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence. Adv Mach Lear Art Inte, 5(2), 01-09.
Onyejelem, T. E., & Aondover, E. M. (2024a). Digital Generative Multimedia Tool Theory (DGMTT): A Theoretical Postulation. Journalism, 14(3), 189-204.
Oreoluwa, P. A., Vitalis, P. O., Nneka, A. Q., Collins-Dike, J., & Ridwan, M. (2024). Online Harassment of Female Journalist in Lagos State. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 4(3), 162-174.
Owens-Ibie, N., & Aondover, E. M. (2024). Hate postings on social media and peace imperatives in Nigeria. Legal challenges and political strategies in the post-truth era.
Popoola, R.O. (2022). When charity and camera collide: Nigerian celebrity philanthropy in the age of technology. Journal for Cultural Research, 26(3-4):332-347. doi: 10.1080/14797585.2022.2161052.
Usher, N. (2020). The construction of public personas through journalism: Celebrity culture in Europe and America. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 97(3), 485-506.
Uzuegbunam, C. (2017). Celebrity culture and youth in Nigeria: The effects of media sensationalism on societal values. Journal of Nigerian Media and Society, 21(2), 133152.
Uzuegbunam, C. (2017). Celebrity culture and youth in Nigeria: The effects of media sensationalism on societal values. Journal of Nigerian Media and Society, 21(2), 133152.
Vitalis, P. O., Amadi, R. N., & Whyte, D. H. (2024). Social Construct of Nollywood Films and Ethnocentrism in Southern Nigeria. CINEJ Cinema Journal, 12(2), 152-179.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Xia, S., Zhang, Y., Wang, Y., Wang, H., Yang, Y., Gao, G. F., ... & Yang, X. (2021). Safety and immunogenicity of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, BBIBP-CorV: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1/2 trial. The Lancet infectious diseases, 21(1), 39-51.
Yar’Adua, S. M., Msughter, A. E., & Aliyu, M. A. (2023). Original Paper Modernization, Marxist, Dependency and Alternative Theories of Development Communication: A Critical Review.
Yar’Adua, S. M., Msughter, A. E., & Garba, S. (2023). Media and National Development in Democratic Societies. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 3(3), 105-115.
Aliyu, M. A., Msughter, A. E., & Nneka, A. Q. (2023). Comparative Study of National Development Plans in Nigeria and India: Media Dimension. SIASAT, 8(4), 202-212.
Aondover, E. M., & Akin-Odukoya, O. (2024). Trends and Dynamics of Popular Culture and Media Messages on Public Transport Literature in Nigeria. Lakhomi Journal Scientific Journal of Culture, 5(3), 183-195.
Aondover, E. M., Hile,M. M. & Yar’Adua, S. M. (2023). Ethical Issues and Insecurity in Africa: The Media Dimension. Konfrontasi Journal: Culture, Economy and Social Changes, 10 (2), 58-68 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33258/konfrontasi2.v10i2.272.
Aondover, E. M., Igwe, E. C., Akin-Odukoya, O. O., & Ridwan, M. (2024). Influence of Social Media on News Consumption and Credibility in Nigeria. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 11(2), 80-92.
Aondover, E. M., Maradun, L. U., & Yar’Adua, S. M. (2022). Mediatization of the net and internetization of the print media in Northern Nigeria. Unisia, 40(2), 335-356.
Aondover, E. M., Oyeleye, S. A., & Aliyu, M. A. (2023). New World Information and Communication Order and its changing role in Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Kano. Unisia, 41(1).
Aondover, P. O., Aondover, E. M., & Babele, A. M. (2022). Two nations, same technology, different outcomes: Analysis of technology application in Africa and America. Journal of Educational Research and Review, 1(1), 001-008.
Cohen, I. G. (2023). What should ChatGPT mean for bioethics?. The American Journal of Bioethics, 23(10), 8-16.
Das, S. (2022). Tabloidization and the "dumbing down" of journalism: Global perspectives. Journalism Studies, 23(5), 67-81.
Diaz, J. H. (2020). Hypothesis: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers may increase the risk of severe COVID-19. Journal of travel medicine, 27(3), taaa041.
Driessens, O. (2014). Celebrity as a social category: From fame to well-knownness. Sociology Compass, 8(4), 29-41.
Hile, M. M., Msughter, A. E., & Aliyu, M. A. (2023). Secularism and Ethical Issues in Media Practice as a Bane for National Development. SIASAT, 8(3), 166-177.
Idris, M. K., & Msughter, A. E. (2022). Sources of Information on National Issues among Border Communities in Yobe State, Nigeria. ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement, 6(1), 22-47.
Kurfi, M. Y., Msughter, A. E., & Maradun, L. U. (2023). Media Ethics and Power In Multicultural Nigeria. ACSPN.
Mabweazara, H. M. (2018). When your ‘take-home’can hardly take you home: Moonlighting and the quest for economic survival in the Zimbabwean Press. Newsmaking Cultures in Africa: Normative Trends in the Dynamics of Socio-Political & Economic Struggles, 99-117.
Maikaba, B., & Msughter, A. E. (2019). Digital Media and Cultural Globalisation: The Fate of African Value System. Humanities and Social Sciences, 12(1), 214-220.
Menegucci, R. (2022). Celebrity-driven narratives and their social impact: A study of Australian media. International Journal of Media Studies, 28(4), 123-139.
Mojaye, E. M., & Aondover, E. M. (2022). Theoretical perspectives in world information systems: A propositional appraisal of new media-communication imperatives. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 14(1), 100-106.
Motseki, M., & Oyedemi, T. (2017). Beauty standards in celebrity journalism and their social implications for South African youth. Journal of Media and Society, 20(3), 87-102.
Msughter, A. E., & Idris, M. K. (2023). Focus Group Discussions with Rural Women in Yobe State on Information Services for Community Engagement on Development Issues in Nigeria. Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies, 5(2), 9.
Msughter, A. E., Hile, M. M., & Bappa, F. S. (2022). Have you Heard What They Are Doing to Women? Media Portrayal of Female Celebrities in Nigerian Press. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 9(2), 186-197.
Msughter, A. E., Perpetua, A. O., & Itiafa, A. L. (2023). Artificial Intelligence and the Media: Revisiting Digital Dichotomy Theory. In Information Systems Management. IntechOpen.
Msughter, D., Okwari, J., & Omole, A. (2022). Nigerian media and the portrayal of celebrity women: Reinforcing stereotypes through sensational journalism. Gender and Media Journal, 10(2), 66-78.
Obasi, M., & Msughter, A. E. (2023). Representation of African Values in Selected Nigerian Popular Music. Communication Cultures in Africa, 3(1).
Obateru, B. (2017). The rise of celebrity journalism in Nigeria and its effects on journalistic standards. Nigerian Media Journal, 15(2), 89-104.
Olatunji, O., & Jimoh, A. (2014). Soft-sell journalism in Nigeria: A historical perspective on celebrity reporting and entertainment journalism. Journal of African Media Studies, 6(1), 45-67.
Onyejelem, T. E., & Aondover, E. M. (2024). Digital Generative Multimedia Tool Theory (DGMTT): A Theoretical Postulation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence. Adv Mach Lear Art Inte, 5(2), 01-09.
Onyejelem, T. E., & Aondover, E. M. (2024a). Digital Generative Multimedia Tool Theory (DGMTT): A Theoretical Postulation. Journalism, 14(3), 189-204.
Oreoluwa, P. A., Vitalis, P. O., Nneka, A. Q., Collins-Dike, J., & Ridwan, M. (2024). Online Harassment of Female Journalist in Lagos State. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 4(3), 162-174.
Owens-Ibie, N., & Aondover, E. M. (2024). Hate postings on social media and peace imperatives in Nigeria. Legal challenges and political strategies in the post-truth era.
Popoola, R.O. (2022). When charity and camera collide: Nigerian celebrity philanthropy in the age of technology. Journal for Cultural Research, 26(3-4):332-347. doi: 10.1080/14797585.2022.2161052.
Usher, N. (2020). The construction of public personas through journalism: Celebrity culture in Europe and America. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 97(3), 485-506.
Uzuegbunam, C. (2017). Celebrity culture and youth in Nigeria: The effects of media sensationalism on societal values. Journal of Nigerian Media and Society, 21(2), 133152.
Uzuegbunam, C. (2017). Celebrity culture and youth in Nigeria: The effects of media sensationalism on societal values. Journal of Nigerian Media and Society, 21(2), 133152.
Vitalis, P. O., Amadi, R. N., & Whyte, D. H. (2024). Social Construct of Nollywood Films and Ethnocentrism in Southern Nigeria. CINEJ Cinema Journal, 12(2), 152-179.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Xia, S., Zhang, Y., Wang, Y., Wang, H., Yang, Y., Gao, G. F., ... & Yang, X. (2021). Safety and immunogenicity of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, BBIBP-CorV: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1/2 trial. The Lancet infectious diseases, 21(1), 39-51.
Yar’Adua, S. M., Msughter, A. E., & Aliyu, M. A. (2023). Original Paper Modernization, Marxist, Dependency and Alternative Theories of Development Communication: A Critical Review.
Yar’Adua, S. M., Msughter, A. E., & Garba, S. (2023). Media and National Development in Democratic Societies. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 3(3), 105-115.
Published
2024-12-28
How to Cite
Ololade Olatunji Lateef. (2024). Celebrity Culture and Journalism Practice in Nigeria. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi Dan Perubahan Sosial, 11(4), 273-286. https://doi.org/10.33258/konfrontasi2.v11i4.318
Section
Articles
Copyright (c) 2025 Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.Penulis.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (Refer to The Effect of Open Access).
_.gif)
_.gif)
