“Build, Unify, Innovate”: Tinubu Tasks Nigerian Youth on Responsible Digital Media Use
President Bola Tinubu on Friday delivered a powerful charge to Nigeria’s youth, urging them to leverage digital media as a formidable tool for national development, unity, and economic prosperity.
Speaking at the inaugural Progressives Digital Media Summit in Abuja, the President called on young creators and entrepreneurs to harness their platforms to build job-creating businesses, produce unifying content, and serve as positive catalysts for society. He stressed the critical importance of verifying information before sharing it to combat the corrosive effects of misinformation.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on young Nigerians active in the digital media space to harness their platforms as tools for national progress, innovation, and unity.
Speaking at the opening of the Progressives Digital Media Summit in Abuja on Friday, President Tinubu encouraged youth to create employment-generating businesses, produce content that promotes shared values, and act as agents of positive social transformation. The summit, themed “Unveiling the Critical Role of New Media in National Development,” brought together key stakeholders in the digital ecosystem.
“Your generation has recognised this moment,” the President said. “You are using digital tools to innovate, educate, and demand accountability. But as your influence grows, so must our collective sense of purpose and responsibility.”
He urged content creators to use their influence to foster national unity rather than division and stressed the importance of verifying information before sharing it. “Digital media is now a central driver of economic growth, civic engagement, and social change. It broadens representation for those previously unheard,” he added.
President Tinubu praised the ingenuity and resilience of Nigeria’s youth, describing digital media as no longer an accessory but a force for economic and societal transformation. He highlighted government efforts to support the digital space through initiatives such as the National Digital Innovation Fund and policies aimed at fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem.
However, he cautioned against the growing threats of disinformation, cyberattacks, and the misuse of digital platforms.
Also speaking at the event, Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, commended digital media professionals who continue to represent Nigeria positively on the global stage.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in his goodwill message, highlighted the pivotal role of digital media in shaping political narratives, referencing recent global elections in countries like the U.S. and Germany. He warned of the increasing influence of disinformation, AI-generated deepfakes, and divisive content on social platforms.
“Social media is not a fair battleground,” Onanuga stated. “It is often chaotic, unregulated, and driven more by virality than truth. Misinformation spreads five times faster than official corrections.”
Summit convener and Special Assistant to the President on New Media, Segun Dada, noted the rapid evolution of digital media, describing it as a powerful engine for communication, innovation, and influence in less than a decade.
The summit is expected to serve as a platform for collaborative discourse on the future of digital media in Nigeria’s political, social, and economic development.
