The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has urged the federal government to introduce tighter regulations on the use of social media in Nigeria.
In a post on his X handle on Monday, Olayinka proposed that Nigerians 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 opening or operating any social media account.
According to him, the move would help curb the spread of misinformation and enhance accountability in the digital space.
“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,” he wrote.
Nigeria’s NIN system is already linked to essential services such as telecommunications and banking. Olayinka argued that extending the framework to social media would strengthen existing measures against fake accounts and online impersonation.
