The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has reiterated the need for greater youth participation in governance, emphasizing that the strength of Nigeria’s democracy must be measured by the level of inclusiveness of its critical stakeholders, especially the youth.
Abbas made this known on Monday during the Speaker’s New Media Exchange 2025, held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. The event brought together a cross-section of social media influencers, predominantly young Nigerians, for an interactive engagement on the role of digital media in governance.
Addressing the participants, the Speaker stressed the importance of the youth demographic and the growing influence of digital platforms in shaping democratic discourse. He noted, “Our democracy must be measured not merely by its procedures but by its inclusiveness.”
The engagement, themed “Smart Cities and Ethical Media: Navigating the Role of Policy in National Development,” served as a platform for critical reflection on the interplay between governance, innovation, and responsible digital communication.
Speaker Abbas acknowledged the challenges posed by misinformation, digital security threats, and the misuse of social media platforms but maintained that constructive dialogue, education, and engagement — rather than censorship — would remain the legislature’s strategy in addressing these issues.
He remarked, “Today’s session marks a seminal moment — the first structured interaction at the highest legislative level with social media influencers, recognizing their significant contributions to our democratic enterprise.”
Highlighting the significance of the digital space, Abbas disclosed that Nigeria now boasts approximately 38.7 million active social media users as of 2025, representing 16.3 per cent of the population, and recording a 5.3 per cent increase from the previous year. He also revealed that Nigerians rank fifth globally in average daily time spent on social media, clocking an average of three hours and twenty-three minutes per day.
Also speaking at the event, former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr. Joe Abah, delivered a thought-provoking address on “Balancing Freedom of Speech Against National Interest.” Abah emphasized the enduring tension between free expression and public interest, advocating a collaborative approach to curb fake news and hate speech without resorting to repressive legislation.
He suggested strengthening partnerships between the National Assembly, government agencies, media houses, and civil society groups. Abah also recommended proactive, transparent government communication and the adoption of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to combat misinformation.
“The Speaker’s New Media Exchange is a commendable initiative and should be expanded to include a broader range of stakeholders beyond those aligned with the government,” he advised.
The event marks a fresh step in the 10th National Assembly’s Legislative Agenda, which pledges to foster public participation, transparency, and responsiveness in governance.
