Nigeria’s democracy must be measured by inclusiveness – Abbas

By DailyTimesNGR

29 April 2025

News

By Tom Okpe

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep Tajudeen Abbas has said Nigeria’s democracy must be measured by how, critical stakeholders in the nation are involved in the processes.

Addressing a group of Social Media influencers, most of whom, Youth, at the National Assembly on Monday, the Speaker highlighted the importance of teeming Youth population and their voice on the Internet to democracy.

Joining the Speaker were several members of the House as well as the Executive Secretary, National Assembly Library Trust Fund, Henry Nwawuba.

The Speaker said: “Our democracy must be measured not merely by its procedures but by its inclusiveness.

“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.

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

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

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.

“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.

“Our aspiration is to build a parliament that is accessible, transparent, responsive, and firmly anchored in the aspirations of all Nigerians.

“To this end, 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.

“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 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.

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

Speaker Abbas also cited establishment of the House Committee on Youth and Committee on Youth in Parliament, which underscores “our resolve to institutionalize youth participation.”

Leading the influencers to speak, a former Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr. Joe Abah, noted that the tension between freedom of speech and National interest has subsisted for centuries, with many philosophers applying their minds to trying, to find a balance between the two.

Speaking on the topic: ‘Balancing Freedom of Speech Against National Interest,’ Dr Abah said: “The question for us is possible to guard against fake news and hate speech, particularly on social media, without enacting additional legislation. I believe we can.”