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 stricter regulations on social media usage in Nigeria.
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Olayinka suggested that individuals should be required to provide a National Identification Number (NIN) alongside a valid government-issued ID—such as an international passport, voter’s card, or driver’s license—before creating or managing any social media account.
He wrote, “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. This proposal seeks to reduce misinformation and increase online accountability.”
Nigeria’s NIN system, already integrated with telecommunications and banking services, provides a framework for identity verification. Advocates argue that extending this requirement to social media platforms could help reduce fake accounts, misinformation, and online fraud.
Similar policies have been implemented in other jurisdictions to strengthen digital identity verification. If adopted, this proposal would align Nigeria’s social media regulations with its existing identity management system, creating a unified standard for digital accountability.
