The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has called for strict regulations on social media usage in Nigeria.
In a statement shared on his X account on Monday, Olayinka proposed that individuals be required to provide their National Identification Number (NIN) alongside a valid government-issued identification document such as an international passport, voter’s card, or driver’s licence before creating or operating any social media account.
“NIN, Valid Identity Card (International Passport, Voter’s Card, Driver’s Licence). These two should be made compulsory to open and operate social media accounts,” his post read, stressing that such a measure would curb misinformation and enhance online accountability.
Olayinka’s suggestion comes against the backdrop of growing concerns over fake accounts, bots, and the spread of false information online.
By tying social media registration to the NIN system already mandatory for banking and telecommunications, he argued that Nigeria could build a unified framework for digital accountability.
The NIN system, which links verified identities to essential services, has been viewed as a potential tool for increasing transparency and trust in digital interactions.
Extending it to social media platforms, Olayinka suggested, would make it more difficult for anonymous actors to manipulate public discourse.
