Verify Before You Share, Don’t Divide Nigeria – Tinubu Tells Social Media Influencers
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has called on young Nigerians active in the digital media space to use their platforms responsibly and work towards promoting national unity rather than division.
OTN News further reports that the president, who said this while speaking at the Progressives Digital Media Summit in Abuja over the weekend, emphasized the growing influence of social media, urged content creators and influencers to verify information before disseminating it online.
According to Tinubu, your generation has recognised this moment. You are using digital tools to innovate, educate, and demand accountability. But as your influence grows, so must our collective sense of purpose and responsibility.
He charged digital influencers to channel their reach and creativity toward job creation, civic engagement, and the production of uplifting content that reflects Nigeria’s shared aspirations.
Furthermore, the president highlighted his administration’s efforts to support digital innovation through instruments like the National Digital Innovation Fund and startup-friendly policies aimed at nurturing Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
Subsequently, he warned of the dangers posed by misinformation and the abuse of digital platforms, noting that while the benefits of social media are vast, so too are the risks.
Tinubu, however, advised, saying “Use your influence to foster unity, not division." Adding "Digital media is now a central driver of economic growth, civic engagement, and social change.”
Supporting Tinubu’s message, the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, described digital media practitioners as the “vanguard of a reborn Nigeria.”
He commended the role of digital media in shaping a new Nigeria.
He said, “You are the vanguard of a reborn Nigeria. The road may be challenging, but it is necessary.
Also speaking at the gathering, the special adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, also raised concerns about the misuse of social media, pointing to the proliferation of misinformation, deepfakes, and AI-generated content used to attack political opponents.
“Divisive content is rampant,” Onanuga warned. “Misinformation spreads five times faster than official corrections.” he added.
Onanuga further stressed the need for new media professionals to understand the impact of their content and avoid contributing to national disunity.
On his part, the Presidential Aide on New Media and convener of the summit, Segun Dada, said the digital space had transformed into a powerful engine of influence and development, but warned that its potential could be undermined if not properly managed.
“We must be more aware of the risks we face, from privacy breaches to threats to social cohesion,” Dada said.
The summit, themed “Unveiling the Critical Role of New Media in National Development”, brought together content creators, digital strategists, political communicators, and policymakers to discuss how digital tools can be better deployed for Nigeria’s progress.
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