Wike’s Aide Demands NIN, Valid ID for Social Media Accounts in Nigeria

|By Chinwendu Nwani

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 tighten regulations on the use of social media platforms.

Olayinka, in a post on his X account on Monday, proposed that Nigerians should be required to present their National Identification Number (NIN) alongside a valid government-issued identity card before opening or operating social media accounts.

He listed acceptable IDs to include an international passport, voter’s card, or driver’s license, stressing that the move would curb misinformation and strengthen online accountability.

“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.

At present, the NIN is already linked to bank accounts and mobile phone numbers in Nigeria, making Olayinka’s proposal a step further in extending its use to the digital space.