Olayiwola Matthew
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called for stricter regulations on social media usage in Nigeria.
In a post on his X handle on Monday, Olayinka proposed that Nigerians should be required to provide their National Identification Number (NIN) alongside a valid government-issued identity card before opening or operating any social media account.
According to him, acceptable forms of identification should include an international passport, voter’s card, or driver’s licence.
“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,” Olayinka wrote. “This proposal seeks to reduce misinformation and increase online accountability.”
Nigeria’s NIN is already linked to banking and telecommunications services, and Olayinka said extending the requirement to social media platforms would help curb anonymity and check the spread of false information.