By: Tanimu Salihu
The Speaker House Representatives Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, says Nigeria’s democracy must be measured by how much the critical stakeholders in the nation are involved in the processes.
Addressing a group of social media influencers, most of whom were youth, at the National Assembly, the Speaker highlighted the importance of the teeming youth population and their voice on the Internet to democracy.
He stated that the engagement, with the theme, ‘Smart Cities and Ethical Media: Navigating the Role of Policy in National Development,’ was for a critical reflection on the intersection of governance, innovation, and responsible communication.
Speaker Abbas said: “We are not unmindful of the challenges posed by misinformation, digital security threats, and the misuse of online platforms. Nonetheless, our approach shall remain rooted in dialogue, education, and constructive engagement rather than censorship or coercion.”
The Speaker described the interaction as “an unprecedented engagement designed to formalise a dialogue between the Nigerian Parliament and the dynamic community of digital actors.
While noting that the significance of the collaboration is underscored by compelling data, the Speaker noted that Nigeria’s digital landscape has expanded rapidly, with approximately 38.7 million active social media users as of 2025, representing 16.3 per cent of the national population and marking a 5.3 per cent increase from the previous year.
Dr. Abbas added that, Nigerians rank fifth globally in average daily time spent on social media, dedicating approximately three hours and twenty-three minutes each day.
He pointed out that these figures attest to the unrivalled capacity of digital platforms to shape public opinion, influence consumer behaviour, and drive civic engagement.
The Speaker said the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House rests on a foundational commitment to deepen public participation in governance.
Dr. Abbas noted that the House has expanded channels of engagement through live-streamed plenary sessions, constituency dialogues, the annual Open National Assembly Week dedicated to access and inclusion, and now, purposeful engagement with the digital ecosystem.
The Speaker further said the House has demonstrated its commitment to innovation and youth empowerment through legislation such as the Nigeria Start-Up Act, which fosters an enabling environment for technology entrepreneurs; and the Nigeria Data Protection Act, which safeguards digital rights.
