Wike’s Aide, Lere Olayinka, Proposes NIN and ID Requirement for Social Media Accounts

Wike’s Aide, Lere Olayinka, Proposes NIN and ID Requirement for Social Media Accounts

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

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 shared on his X account on Monday, Olayinka proposed that individuals should be mandated to provide their National Identification Number (NIN) along with a valid government-issued ID—such as an international passport, voter’s card, or driver’s licence—before being allowed to create or operate social media accounts.

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.”

Linking NIN to Digital Accountability

Olayinka’s proposal comes at a time when misinformation, fake news, and impersonation have become pressing challenges across Nigeria’s digital space. He argued that verified identities could significantly reduce the spread of false information while ensuring accountability for online behaviour.

Nigeria already uses its NIN system for essential services such as banking, SIM registration, and other financial transactions. Extending it to cover social media registration, he suggested, would align with the country’s broader identity verification framework and create a unified system of digital accountability.

The idea has already sparked debates online, with some Nigerians supporting the measure as a way to tackle fake accounts, while others see it as a potential infringement on freedom of expression.

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