By Ademuyiwa Balikis
Though the convergence of leading voices in digital innovation, policymakers, and civil society to explore how digital media can drive national progress in Abuja ended about 24 hours ago, some takeaways remain instructive in how information should be accessed and processed within Nigeria’s evolving social media space.
At the Summit held on Friday at the State House Banquet Hall, Aso Villa, themed “Unveiling the Critical Role of New Media in National Development,” President Bola Tinubu called on Nigerian youths to utilise digital media to promote unity, innovation, and national development.
Key stakeholders discussed ways to harness digital tools for inclusive growth, innovation, and unity, while addressing challenges like misinformation and digital manipulation.
Key Takeaways from the Summit include:
• Call for Responsible Digital Influence: President Tinubu urged young Nigerian digital media influencers to use their platforms to foster unity rather than division, emphasising the importance of harnessing digital tools for national progress and societal development.
• Encouragement of Entrepreneurship: The President encouraged influencers to build businesses that create employment opportunities, highlighting the potential of digital media as a driver of economic growth and job creation.
– Promotion of Positive Content Creation: President Tinubu advised content creators to create content that reflects unifying values and uplifts the nation, positioning digital media as a tool for positive societal transformation.
Importance of Information Verification: President Tinubu also stressed the need to verify information before amplifying it, addressing the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation in the digital space.
– Recognition of Youth Innovation: The President acknowledged the creativity and resilience of Nigeria’s youth, noting their use of digital tools to innovate, educate, and demand accountability as a redefinition of what is possible for the country.
– Digital Media as a Central Driver: The event underscored that digital media is no longer a peripheral tool but a central force in economic growth, civic engagement, and social change, broadening representation for previously unheard voices.
– Government Support for Digital Innovation: President Tinubu highlighted his administration’s commitment to supporting digital innovation through the National Digital Innovation Fund and policies aimed at fostering a thriving startup ecosystem.
– Warning Against Disinformation and Cyber Threats: The President cautioned digital practitioners to remain vigilant against the spread of disinformation and cyber threats, recognising these as significant risks in the digital landscape.
– Leadership’s Vision for Greatness: Chief of Staff to the president Femi Gbajabiamila reinforced the narrative that under Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is on a long-delayed march toward greatness, framing the summit as part of this broader national ambition.
– Lessons from Global Elections: Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga pointed out that recent elections in the U.S. and Germany illustrate how digital media has become a crucial battleground for shaping political outcomes, highlighting its dual role as both a challenge and an opportunity.
– Addressing Misinformation Challenges: The summit aimed to tackle the chaotic and unregulated nature of social media, including the spread of divisive content, deepfakes, and AI-generated misinformation, with a focus on strategies to combat fake news.
– Evolution of Digital Media’s Role: Convener Olusegun Dada emphasised that digital media has evolved from a tool for personal connection into a powerful engine for communication, innovation, and influence, necessitating careful management of risks like privacy concerns and social cohesion threats.
– Optimism for Collaborative Solutions: Onanuga expressed hope that the summit would yield strategies to enhance the positive aspects of digital media while mitigating its threats, fostering a collaborative approach to national development.
The summit is expected to yield strategies to enhance the positive aspects of digital media while mitigating its threats, fostering a collaborative approach to national development. With the right approach, Nigeria’s digital economy can drive economic growth, create jobs, and promote national development.
