Speaker Abbas: Inclusiveness Must Be the Benchmark of Nigerian Democracy
IDNN Abuja Bureau | April 28, 2025
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has declared that the strength of the country’s democracy must be assessed by the level of inclusiveness it offers to all stakeholders—particularly its youthful digital population.
Addressing a select group of Nigerian social media influencers at the inaugural Speaker’s New Media Exchange 2025 at the National Assembly on Monday, the Speaker emphasized that in today’s hyperconnected society, public engagement cannot be meaningful without robust dialogue with digital actors.
“Our democracy must be measured not merely by its procedures but by its inclusiveness,” Abbas said, setting the tone for a high-level exchange focused on ‘Smart Cities and Ethical Media: Navigating the Role of Policy in National Development’.
The interactive session brought together members of the House and leading voices in media and policy, including Channels TV’s Kayode Okikiolu, Presidential aides O’tega Ogra and Olusegun Dada, digital thought leader Dr. Joe Abah, OON, and comedian Seyi Law, among others.
Speaker Abbas highlighted that Nigeria currently boasts over 38.7 million active social media users, accounting for 16.3% of the population, with a daily average usage of 3 hours and 23 minutes. He underscored that this demographic reality requires policymakers to “forge partnerships, not policing,” to nurture participatory democracy.
“We are not unmindful of the challenges posed by misinformation, digital threats, and online abuse. Yet, our response is not coercion—it is conversation,” he said.
The Speaker outlined various inclusive initiatives spearheaded by the 10th House, including:
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Livestreamed plenary sessions for public access
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Open National Assembly Week for citizen engagement
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Youth inclusion reforms, such as the Legislative Mentorship Initiative and Town Halls
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Passage of the Nigeria Start-Up Act and Nigeria Data Protection Act, aimed at protecting digital rights and fostering innovation
Additionally, he pointed to the establishment of dedicated House Committees on Youth and Youth in Parliament as legislative instruments for institutionalising youth engagement.
Speaker Abbas praised the influencers present as “vital conduits for civic education, public enlightenment, and democratic accountability.” He assured them that the legislature recognizes and respects their evolving role as change-makers in the digital space.
Expert Commentary: Speech vs. National Interest
Delivering a thought-provoking address, Dr. Joe Abah tackled the age-old tension between freedom of speech and national interest, calling for moderation, civic responsibility, and media literacy in an era of viral misinformation.
“The question is: can we curb fake news and hate speech without new laws? I believe we can—through public dialogue and responsible engagement,” he said.
He also issued a set of policy reflections for further deliberation during the session.
Bottom Line:
With this unprecedented outreach to digital creators and influencers, the Speaker’s Office has moved to institutionalize a new era of digital inclusion and youth policy dialogue—a gesture widely seen as a progressive step toward strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions from the ground up.
