The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has ignited a fire proposal: mandatory National Identification Number (NIN) and government-issued ID verification for all social media users in Nigeria.
In a controversial post on his X account, Olayinka argued that linking social media profiles to verified identities—such as international passports, voter’s cards, or driver’s licenses—would “reduce misinformation and increase online accountability.”
“NIN and a valid ID should be compulsory to open and operate any social media account,” he declared, framing the move as a necessary step to combat fake news and anonymous trolls.
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But critics are sounding the alarm, calling it a blatant assault on free speech and privacy. With Nigeria’s NIN already tied to phone numbers and bank accounts, extending it to social media could hand the government unprecedented control over citizensSupporters, however, insist it mirrors global trends, pointing to countries where verified identities curb bot-driven disinformation. Yet, in a nation where dissent is often stifled, many fear this could be a pretext for silencing opposition voices under the guise of “accountability.”
As the debate rages, one thing is clear: if enforced, this policy could redefine—or restrict—how Nigerians engage online. Is this the price of a “safer” internet, or the death knell for digital freedom? The public deserves answers—before it’s too late.
