by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged the Federal Government to introduce stricter regulations on social media use in Nigeria.
In a post on his X account on Monday, Olayinka proposed that individuals should be required to present their National Identification Number (NIN) alongside a valid government-issued identity card—such as an international passport, voter’s card, or driver’s licence—before being allowed to open or operate social media accounts.
“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,” the statement read.
He argued that tying social media access to verified identities would help curb the spread of fake news and discourage the use of anonymous accounts for malicious purposes.
Nigeria’s NIN system is already linked to key services such as banking and telecommunications, and Olayinka suggested extending it to social media platforms as part of a broader framework for digital accountability.
According to him, such a measure would align with global best practices and strengthen efforts to regulate online spaces in the country.