Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has called for evolving regulations to navigate the digital world.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by Mr Gbenga Omotoso, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, made the call on Tuesday, at the 14th edition of the Conference of African Broadcasters (Africast 2025).
Africast 2025, with the theme: “Navigating the Digital Surge: Building a Resilient African Media Ecosystem for the Future”, was organised by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
“We cannot navigate a digital world using outdated methods. Our regulations need to evolve — not to disable, but to empower.
“The ongoing reforms and policy frameworks from the NBC are a step in the right direction, but Africa should take the reins in establishing global digital standards that safeguard our local content, data, and values.
“Just imagine a continental framework that champions content integrity and algorithmic transparency while fostering homegrown innovations like AI-driven fact-checking tools from African startups.
“Here in Lagos, we are pushing forward discussions about responsible innovation, including initiatives that harness technology for truth verification and engaging citizens.
“Our regulations should protect our information landscape while also allowing creativity to thrive,” he said.
According to him, to create a strong and resilient media landscape in Africa, there is the need to approach three key areas with both clarity and courage: Regulation with Innovation, Capacity with Collaboration, and Ethics with Empowerment.
He said that the capacity with collaboration pillar focused on investing in the people who drive the media and ensure its resilience.
Sanwo-Olu said that it was crucial for governments, academic institutions, and industry leaders to come together and invest in training, research, and infrastructure.
He said that Africast had the potential to be the heart of the collaboration — a continental hub where regulators, journalists, and innovators could learn from each other and exchange solutions that were tailored to the unique challenges faced in Africa.
The governor said that on the issue of Ethics with Empowerment, there was the need to view technology as a powerful tool that could be enhanced by strong, positive values to give it real meaning.
He said that it was essential to bring integrity back to the core of media practices.
Sanwo-Olu said that across the continent, more than 600 million Africans are now online — a figure that had tripled in just ten years.
He said that in Nigeria alone, no fewer than 150 million people were active on social media every day, using the digital platforms for business, education, and civic engagement.
The governor said this explosion of connectivity had opened doors, sparked citizen journalism, and showcased Nollywood and Nigerian creativity on the world stage.
“Alongside all the progress we have made, we are also facing some tough new challenges: misinformation, cyber threats, and a growing distrust in traditional media.
“As the Governor of Lagos State, I have seen firsthand how misinformation can stir up tensions, twist the truth, and hinder vital responses during emergencies.
“These issues are not just one-off incidents; they highlight a worldwide struggle — finding the right balance between openness and responsibility in this digital age overflowing with information,” he said.
Delivering the keynote on The Agile Regulator: Frameworks for a Digital Age, the Chairman, MTN Board, Dr Ernest Ndukwe, said that to build Africa’s next-generation media ecosystem, one must focus on four strategic pillars.
Ndukwe said that the pillars included infrastructure expansion, regulatory innovation, local content empowerment, then skills and capacity development.
He said that governments must create enabling environments and this included public-private partnerships
According to him, smart regulation is essential in the digital age and must be agile, forward-thinking, and protective of public interest.
“Regulation must evolve with the speed of technology. We need policies that protect citizens while fostering innovation.
“We must safeguard media freedom and democracy, for without free and independent media, no digital infrastructure, however advanced, can sustain a democratic society.
“The infrastructure we build today will define Africa’s digital future. Governments must enable, not just regulate, they must collaborate with the private sector to drive innovation.
“Government must invest in digital literacy and inclusion, ensuring citizens are not just connected, but empowered. They must build trust and institutional stability,” he said. (NAN)