Tinubu Hails Young Digital Creators, Declares New Media Vital to Nigeria’s Growth

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described new media as a vital engine for Nigeria’s national development, urging young digital creators to leverage its power for economic advancement, civic engagement, and social transformation.

Speaking on Friday at the Progressive Digital Media Summit held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Tinubu praised the ingenuity and energy of Nigerian youths who are redefining the country’s digital space. He referred to them not merely as the future, but as the architects actively shaping it. “Across Nigeria, we are seeing young people use digital platforms to express themselves, build communities, and shape society in bold new ways,” he stated.

The President emphasized that digital media is now central—not marginal—to shaping national conversations, enhancing political participation, and generating jobs across various sectors. However, he cautioned that the growing influence of new media also demands greater responsibility. “Verify before you amplify,” he advised, urging influencers to promote values such as honesty, patriotism, and discipline in the digital space.

Reiterating his administration’s commitment to digital inclusion, Tinubu announced ongoing investments in broadband infrastructure, the National Digital Innovation Fund, and pro-startup policies aimed at empowering local talent. He also stressed the importance of cybersecurity, promising robust protections for citizens both online and offline. “Internet access will soon become a right, not a privilege,” he assured.

President Tinubu encouraged digital influencers to go beyond personal branding by using their platforms to drive problem-solving, mentorship, digital literacy, and national unity. Drawing inspiration from Nigeria’s national women’s football team’s recent comeback performance, he urged the digital generation to lead with resilience, creativity, and purpose.

A major feature of the summit was the launch of PBATVersary 2.0, a digital compendium showcasing the achievements of the Tinubu administration over the past two years. The event attracted a diverse gathering of content creators, tech innovators, journalists, and policymakers for robust discussions on digital ethics, storytelling, governance, and innovation.