President Bola Tinubu on Friday, August 1, 2025, issued a stern call to digital content creators and influencers, urging them to prioritize verification before amplifying information across their platforms. Speaking at the Progressive Digital Media Summit held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Tinubu emphasized the critical role new media plays in national development but equally underscored the weighty responsibility that comes with its widespread influence.

“Verify before you amplify,” President Tinubu cautioned, addressing a diverse mix of influencers, content creators, journalists, and policymakers. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the digital space reflects core national values such as honesty, compassion, discipline, and patriotism. “Let the digital space reflect the values that bind us together,” he added.

The President described new media as a “central pillar of Nigeria’s national development,” commending the creativity and drive of young Nigerians who are actively shaping the digital landscape. He acknowledged that digital platforms are no longer peripheral but have become powerful forces in shaping public discourse, enabling political participation, and creating employment across various sectors.

However, President Tinubu warned that “with greater influence comes greater responsibility,” particularly in an era frequently challenged by misinformation and digital mischief. His admonition comes amidst recent incidents where false reports have circulated online, highlighting the disruptive potential of unverified content.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, the President pledged that internet access would soon become a fundamental right, not a privilege, for all citizens. He pointed to ongoing investments in broadband expansion, the National Digital Innovation Fund, and startup-friendly policies designed to nurture local talent and entrepreneurship. Cybersecurity, he added, would remain a national priority, ensuring the protection of every Nigerian both offline and online.

President Tinubu urged digital creators to leverage their platforms beyond self-expression, encouraging them to focus on problem-solving, mentoring others, and promoting digital literacy and national unity. “Every app you design, every story you tell, every brand you build is a statement about who we are as a people,” he remarked, challenging them to let their digital footprint reflect the best of Nigeria.

Drawing an inspiring parallel, President Tinubu referenced the Super Falcons’ recent dramatic comeback from a two-goal deficit to win the WAFCON trophy, encouraging digital entrepreneurs to pursue their goals with similar resilience and consistency.

A key highlight of the summit was the unveiling of PBATVersary 2.0, a digital compendium chronicling the Tinubu administration’s achievements over the past two years, further solidifying the government’s engagement with the digital sphere.