President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to cybersecurity, pledging that the government will continue to protect Nigerians across both digital and physical spaces as it expands the country’s digital frontiers.

Speaking at the Progressive Digital Media Summit held on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President emphasised that the government recognises the immense power and potential of digital media in shaping national development, driving economic growth, and empowering the youth. He said the administration is making strategic investments in digital infrastructure to ensure that internet access becomes a right for all Nigerians, not a privilege.

He said, “We will not lose focus on cybersecurity. Every Nigerian has a right to be protected in both the physical and digital domains. As our digital ecosystem grows, so must our collective responsibility to ensure safety, trust and accountability.”

At the summit, themed ‘Unveiling the critical role of new media in national development’ with a focus on the renewed hope agenda, the president noted that digital media and national development brought together media professionals, innovators, public officials, and youth leaders to discuss the evolving role of new media in shaping Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape.

Tinubu, however, praised Nigerian youths for leveraging digital tools to amplify their voices, demand accountability, and create innovative solutions that are reshaping society.

He said that far from waiting for the future, young Nigerians are already building it, developing platforms, launching brands, and starting online communities that reflect a commitment to progress and the common good.

He said, “You are that possibility. Use your platforms not just for self-expression, but to solve problems, create jobs, foster unity, and lift others. Let your digital footprint reflect the best of our nation.”

He stated that the government’s support for innovation includes a digital innovation fund and a supportive environment for startups. Tinubu assured attendees that regulatory obstacles would be diminished to encourage digital growth, while the values of compassion, discipline, and patriotism would continue to steer national policy.

He therefore urged young Nigerians to advance digital literacy and integrity, emphasising that leadership is about meaningful contribution to national development, not just slogans.

“Nigeria’s prosperity will be shaped by many forces,” he said, “but none will be more powerful than the choices made by those who dare to imagine and act, those who refuse to wait for permission to lead.”

The President said he drew inspiration from the resilience of Nigerian female footballers, using their story as a metaphor for determination and national pride.

“From setbacks, they rose with clarity, consistency, and purpose. Let your generation do the same. Don’t just be ready for the future. Lead it,” he said.

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,” he 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.

“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.

Also, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, criticised the alarming increase in misuse of digital media, warning that it has become a critical battleground for political manipulation and disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Onanuga said the summit could not have come at a better time, given the premature campaign activities by opposition elements who, in his words, are “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 peril.”

Onanuga, referencing recent statistics, said that available data show that WhatsApp is currently Nigeria’s most widely 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 follows with 12.6 million users, primarily within the 25–34 age group.

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.

Onanuga, however, 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 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 therefore called for a strong responsibility to ensure that the media is used to strengthen our democracy, not to undermine it.”

Earlier in his welcome address, 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, however, expressed 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.