What has nudity got to do with it? Interrogating the off-screen dressing of Nigerian entertainers on social media

Abstract

This study examines the lewd attitude of entertainers who exhibit their nudity off-screen and the rationale for the act. Three Nigerian female celebrities whose nude photos were flaunted on Facebook were chosen and examined based on feedback from Facebook users. The study is anchored on the Cultural Norms Theory. Data were collected and analyzed using the mixed-research method. 1,625 comments on the displayed photos were analyzed, which represent 5% of all comments. The result showed that 985 (60.6%) of the comments condemned the act of the celebrities, while 384 (23.6%) applauded it. Contrary to the belief that nudity bequeaths fame, the findings indicate that attaining social status has nothing to do with parading an unclad body. Nudity, however, socially places one in a humiliating position, sullying one's dignity and status in addition to being a slight to human decency. The allowance of this attitude in society portends great danger to national values. Therefore, the parade of nudity by celebrities on social media needs to be curtailed or controlled through actions by online authorities and governments. This study, among others, recommends that the existing legislation on indecent dressing as enshrined in the Nigerian 2015 Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act be enforced in addition to barring indecent celebrities from exhibiting their nakedness online.