Wike’s aide, Lere Olayinka calls for mandatory NIN and ID to operate social media account

Lere Olayinka, the senior special assistant on public communications and social media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called for strict regulations on social media usage in Nigeria. 

In a statement shared on his X account on Monday, August 25, Olayinka suggested that Nigerians should be required to provide their National Identification Number (NIN) alongside a valid government-issued identification document, such as an international passport, voter’s card, or driver’s licence, before being allowed to create or operate any social media account. 

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.” 

He said this would curb misinformation and enhance online accountability. 

Olayinka argued that by tying social media registration to the NIN system already mandatory for banking and telecommunications, Nigeria could build a unified framework for digital accountability. 

The NIN system, which links verified identities to essential services, has been viewed as a potential tool for increasing transparency and trust in digital interactions. 

Olayinka suggested that extending the NIN system to social media platforms would make it more difficult for anonymous actors to manipulate public discourse.