Nigeria’s democracy must be measured by inclusiveness, says Speaker Abbas

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Abbas Tajudeen, has stated that the strength of Nigeria’s democracy should be assessed by the extent to which critical stakeholders are involved in national processes.

Speaking at the National Assembly on Monday during an engagement with a group of social media influencers, most of whom were young people, Speaker Abbas underscored the importance of youth participation and the influential role of digital platforms in modern democracy.

The Speaker said the session was intended as a critical reflection on the intersection of governance, innovation, and responsible communication.

“We are not unmindful of the challenges posed by misinformation, digital security threats, and the misuse of online platforms. Nevertheless, our approach shall remain rooted in dialogue, education, and constructive engagement rather than censorship or coercion,” Speaker Abbas said.

Describing the interaction as “an unprecedented engagement designed to formalise dialogue between the Nigerian Parliament and the dynamic community of digital actors,” he emphasised its historic significance.

He added: “Today’s session marks a seminal moment. It is the first structured engagement at the highest legislative level with social media influencers, recognising their significant contributions to the democratic enterprise and to shaping national discourse.

“In a nation whose demographic composition is overwhelmingly youthful, and where digital platforms have become central to information exchange, advocacy, and civic engagement, it is both strategic and necessary to forge this partnership.”

Citing compelling statistics, Speaker Abbas highlighted that Nigeria’s digital landscape has expanded significantly, with approximately 38.7 million active social media users as of 2025, accounting for 16.3 per cent of the national population – a 5.3 per cent increase from the previous year.

He noted that Nigerians rank fifth globally in average daily time spent on social media, dedicating roughly three hours and twenty-three minutes each day.

“These figures attest to the unrivalled capacity of digital platforms to shape public opinion, influence consumer behaviour, and drive civic engagement. It is, therefore, evident that meaningful partnership with the digital community is not optional but essential to building a more participatory democracy,” the Speaker said.

He further pointed out that the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House is anchored on a foundational commitment to deepen public participation in governance.

“Our aspiration is to build a Parliament that is accessible, transparent, responsive, and firmly rooted in the aspirations of all Nigerians,” he stated.

Speaker Abbas highlighted initiatives such as live-streamed plenary sessions, constituency dialogues, the annual Open National Assembly Week dedicated to access and inclusion, and now, formal engagement with the digital ecosystem as part of efforts to widen citizen participation.

He added: “Beyond these initiatives, the House is pursuing reforms that foreground the rights of persons living with disabilities, promote the inclusion of marginalised communities, and advance the political participation of women through constitutional amendment processes. Our democracy must be measured not merely by its procedures but by its inclusiveness.

“You are pivotal agents in the contemporary information environment. Your platforms serve as vital conduits for citizen engagement, policy interpretation, and the cultivation of public consciousness.”

The Speaker also cited legislative achievements aimed at fostering innovation and empowering young people, including the Nigeria Start-Up Act, which creates an enabling environment for technology entrepreneurs, and the Nigeria Data Protection Act, which safeguards digital rights.

“We continue to uphold the Freedom of Information Act as an instrument for transparency. We have expanded opportunities for youth inclusion through initiatives such as the Legislative Mentorship Initiative, the Bi-Annual Youth Town Hall Meetings, and enhanced budgetary support for youth development programmes in the 2025 budget,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr Joe Abah, observed that the tension between freedom of speech and national interest has existed for centuries, with many philosophers grappling with how to balance the two.

Dr Abah said: “The question for us is: Is it possible to guard against fake news and hate speech, particularly on social media, without enacting additional legislation? I believe that we can…”

The technocrat proceeded to offer a series of recommendations for debate during the session.