President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on young Nigerians to leverage the power of new media to promote unity, compassion, and patriotism rather than division.
Speaking on Friday at the opening ceremony of the two-day Progressive Digital Media Summit held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, Tinubu emphasised the central role of new media in driving national development. The summit is themed “Unveiling the Critical Role of New Media in National Development.”
“The theme of this gathering perfectly captures the spirit of our time and the aspirations of our nation,” the President said. “Across Nigeria, we are witnessing a remarkable surge of creativity and ambition, especially among our youth. From developing digital platforms to building vibrant online communities, young Nigerians are not waiting to be invited into the future—they are actively building it.”
He noted that new media is no longer just a supplementary tool but has become a major catalyst for economic growth, civic engagement, and social transformation.
“It is creating jobs, empowering millions of young people, breaking traditional barriers to political participation, and giving a voice to previously unheard communities,” Tinubu said.
The President acknowledged the growing influence of the digital generation and commended their efforts in innovation, education, and accountability. However, he urged them to match their digital influence with a shared sense of purpose and responsibility.
“I urge you to continue harnessing these platforms for the greater good. Build businesses that employ others. Create content that uplifts and inspires. Use your influence to foster unity, not division,” he said.
Tinubu also warned of the dangers of misinformation and urged users to pause before sharing unverified content. “Let Nigeria’s digital space reflect the values that bind us together: connection, compassion, discipline, and patriotism,” he concluded.
“Patriotism is not about slogans or political theatre. It is measured by what we contribute to the common good. Every app you design, every story you tell, every brand you build, it all tells the world who we are and what we stand for.”
To support the growing digital space, Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to building infrastructure and enabling innovation.
He said, “This administration understands the importance of this digital frontier. That is why we are investing strategically in digital infrastructure and broadband expansion. Internet access must no longer be a luxury for a few; it is a right for all Nigerians.
“We are supporting innovation through initiatives like the National Digital Innovation Forum and nurturing the startup ecosystem by promoting growth-oriented policies and minimising unnecessary regulation. At the same time, we are committed to cybersecurity. Every Nigerian has the right to be protected, both physically and digitally.”
The President described Nigerian youths as the country’s greatest asset.
“Young people remain our most important investment. Your ideas, energy, and commitment to development are among our nation’s greatest assets,” Tinubu said.
He urged them to go beyond personal branding with their various platforms.
He said, “Use your platforms not just for self-expression or retaliation, but for problem-solving. Build solutions that meet the needs of our people. Mentor others. Champion digital literacy and promote accountability in every part of society.
“Let your leadership be defined by integrity. Let your digital footprint reflect the very best of our nation. Let your actions tell the story of a generation that didn’t wait for permission to lead, but stepped forward with clarity and courage.”
“Nigeria’s path to prosperity will be shaped by many factors, but none more powerful than the choices made by those who dare to imagine, and who possess the skill to turn vision into reality.”
Using the example of the national female football team, the President illustrated the values of perseverance and determination.
“Think of our great female footballers. At one point, they were two goals down. It seemed the game was lost. But through determination, persistence, and unity, they turned things around and brought pride to the entire nation. That is the spirit I ask of you. Let us move forward together, just like they did.
“Let your creativity continue to inspire. Let your enterprise open doors. Let your example show that this generation is not only ready for the future, but ready to lead it,” he said.
President Tinubu concluded with a message of hope and expectation for the younger generation.
“May your work be guided by wisdom. May your voices lift others. And may your generation be remembered not just for its potential, but for turning promise into achievement,” he said.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, raised the alarm over the growing misuse of digital media, warning that it has become a critical battleground for political manipulation and disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Onanuga said the summit could not have come at a better time, given the premature campaign activities by opposition elements who are, in his words, “forcing a 2027 campaign on the country well ahead of the INEC timetable.”
He said, “Our recent experiences and those from elections in the USA, Germany, and other countries have taught us a crucial lesson. Digital media are no longer just spaces for jokes, memes, or dance videos. They are battlegrounds where elections are won or lost. We ignore them at our own peril.”
Onanuga backed his warning with recent statistics.
He said, according to available data, WhatsApp is currently Nigeria’s most used platform with around 51 million users, accounting for a penetration rate of 95% of active mobile lines.
Facebook follows with 38.7 million users, while TikTok boasts 37.4 million. Instagram comes next with 12.6 million users, mostly within the 25–34 age group.
Surprisingly, he said, X (formerly Twitter), which he described as the “most toxic” of all platforms, has only 7.57 million active users in Nigeria.
“I presented these figures to underscore where we should direct our political communication and strategic efforts,” he said.
However, Onanuga cautioned that social media is often a chaotic and unregulated public square.
“Users frequently spread disinformation, divisive content is rampant, and deepfake and artificial intelligence-generated media are increasingly used against political opponents. Content is driven by clicks, not by truth or accuracy,” he warned.
He emphasised that misinformation spreads five times faster than official corrections and expressed hope that the summit would begin to tackle such threats.
“My prayer is that this summit will address these emerging red flags. We must discuss and devise measures to counter them, such as rapidly labelling fake or AI-generated content, flagging false news, and conducting real-time fact-checking,” Onanuga urged.
He concluded with a strong call to responsibility: “All of us have a responsibility to ensure that this media is used to strengthen our democracy, not to undermine it.”
The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, called on Nigerians to view social media not as a mere tool for entertainment or agitation, but as a vital platform for national development, civic responsibility, and institutional accountability.
Dada said the evolution of social media over the past decade has made it central to the way societies function.
“In just a decade, social media has transformed from a tool of personal connection into a powerful engine of communication, information, innovation, and influence.
“It is no longer a peripheral player in national discourse. It has become central to how governments engage citizens, how businesses expand, how civil society is built, and how ideas are exchanged across borders and generations,” he said.
Dada posed key questions about the role of digital platforms in the country’s development: “How can we harness this immense digital force for the good of our nation, Nigeria? How do we use it to strengthen democracy, support economic growth, improve education, and ensure accountability? And even more importantly, how do we manage the risks it poses to truth, privacy, and social cohesion?”
He said these challenges cannot be answered by slogans or technology alone, but through collaboration, innovation, and a clear understanding of the rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.
Recalling the recent election cycle, Dada said social media played a decisive role in shaping perceptions, both positively and negatively.
“In the run-up to the 2023 election, we saw how social media was used by bad-faith actors to deliberately misinform, disinform, and cast doubt in the minds of the electorate.”
He credited President Bola Tinubu with recognising the stakes early and assembling a focused digital team.
“Mr. President, in his wisdom, tapped a couple of us in the run-up to the 2023 elections, and we stayed on message. That deliberate effort secured a straightforward victory for our great party,” he said.
“This event is more than just a conversation; it is a call to action, a call to policymakers, educators, entrepreneurs, technologists, and every citizen who believes in the power of the internet,” he said.
Dada also used the occasion to express gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve. He thanked the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for what he described as “unwavering support that made the summit a full reality,” and acknowledged the contributions of fellow aides and senior colleagues.
“Let us interrogate not only the role social media plays in national development but also the responsibility we all share in shaping it for the greater good. Let us begin this important journey together,” he said.
The summit, which continues Saturday, brought together government officials, media experts, tech leaders, and civil society actors to strategise on the evolving influence of new media on national development, political discourse, and governance.
