Comfort Mobolaji JEGEDE

This study explores the role of Nigerian English in defraying tension within online social media interactions, focusing on humour, particularly satire, irony, wordplay, and the use of indigenous Nigerian languages on platforms like Twitter and Facebook. The research examines how humour functions as a coping mechanism, providing emotional relief and fostering social solidarity among Nigerians during politically charged discussions, socio-economic challenges, and national debates. Utilizing Relief Theory, Superiority Theory, and Socio-Cognitive Theory (Critical Discourse Analysis), the study analyzes humour strategies that help manage conflict and critique political systems. Data was gathered through purposive sampling of posts, comments, and memes, spanning from 2018 to 2025. The findings reveal that humour in Nigerian English, when combined with indigenous languages such as Yoruba, Igbo, and Pidgin, serves as a powerful tool for both emotional release and social bonding. This humour allows Nigerians to laugh at their political and socio-economic frustrations, asserting a sense of superiority over the political elite while promoting a collective identity. Additionally, the study underscores the psychological and social functions of humour as a discursive strategy for alleviating tension and fostering resilience. The research contributes to the understanding of Nigerian English as a dynamic linguistic tool in digital communication, offering new insights into the intersection of language, humour, and social solidarity in the context of Nigeria's socio-political landscape.