President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to harnessing digital innovation, technology, and knowledge-based opportunities to drive inclusive national development. He made this assertion during the official unveiling of the Progressive Digital Media Summit 2025 (#DigiMediaSummit2025), held at the banquet hall of the state house, Abuja.
The three-day summit, themed “Unveiling the Critical Role of New Media in National Development: A Focus on the Renewed Hope Agenda”, was organized by the Special Assistant to the President on New Media, Mr. Olusegun Dada. It drew participants and progressive stakeholders from all 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
Addressing the gathering, President Tinubu charged Nigerians to embrace change, innovation, and a digital-driven mindset. “We must embrace technology, change, innovation, and knowledge-based opportunities to drive a process that benefits the greater number of our people,” “I know the road, and I will lead you to the promised land.”he declared.
In his remarks, Mr. Olusegun Dada highlighted the summit’s purpose: to bridge the knowledge gap in social media use and create a proactive strategy against misinformation and digital threats. He recalled how President Tinubu, during the 2023 elections, encouraged a few progressives to strategically deploy new media tools to amplify truthful narratives a tactic that significantly shaped the political messaging of the campaign.
“The summit is designed to train the trainers, improve digital literacy, and address the misinformation menace plaguing our online space,” Dada noted. “Cybercrime laws are not partisan, and even members of our progressive fold fall victim to them.”
He also emphasized the importance of building social media competency while preserving freedom of expression. “Users must understand their rights without crossing the lines of offense and illegality,” Dada cautioned. “This event is not just about policies and communication, it’s about connection, education, and creating fun, memorable experiences.”
Delivering the keynote address, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, raised concerns about the dangers of an unregulated digital landscape. He described President Tinubu as “a spiritual victim of social media,” referencing past online onslaughts.
“The internet was once a marketplace of ideas. Today, it’s increasingly becoming a theatre of chaos, manipulated by faceless actors and traffickers of falsehood,” Gbajabiamila warned. He expressed fears over the emergence of AI tools capable of altering reality and spreading convincingly fake content.
“If not properly guided, we are entering an epoch of misinformation unlike anything we’ve ever seen. We must take personal responsibility as citizens and digital participants,” he charged.
Dare and Olawande Urge Responsible Digital Participation
Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media, Public Communications, and Orientation, underscored the urgent need to sanitize the media space. “The impact of disinformation is real. The digital space must be guided by ethics and accountability,” he said.
Also speaking to 9News Nigeria on the sidelines, Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, advised the youth to use media platforms to enhance personal and economic development, not to attack personalities.
“Japa is not a panacea,” he added. “Those who flee may become second-class citizens elsewhere. We must protect and project Nigeria by telling our true stories and selling our strengths.”
At the event, several panel discussions explored the dual-edged nature of technology, with a focus on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be both an enabler and a disruptor. Panelists raised concerns about youths leaning toward the negative aspects of AI rather than leveraging its benefits.
Participants acknowledged that social media is reshaping beliefs, perceptions, and interactions, likening it to a machine that amplifies thought — and therefore must be used with caution and clarity.
One memorable reflection noted, “We search Google, but we forget that Google also searches us.”
The summit’s high point was the unveiling of the PBATAVERSARY book, a chronicle of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s development strides so far. Launched by Femi Gbajabiamila, the book is described as a must-read for those seeking to understand the transformation under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Conclusion: Connecting, Collaborating, and Charting a New Path
As the first day of the summit came to a close, the spirit of collaboration was evident. From thought-provoking speeches to strategic digital training sessions, DigiMediaSummit2025 set the tone for a more responsible and impactful new media environment.
President Tinubu’s declaration “I know my people, and I will lead them to the promised land” echoed with renewed confidence, inspiring stakeholders to not only connect and collaborate, but to critically evaluate how the digital age can propel Nigeria toward greater heights.
