Wike’s Aide Lere Olayinka Calls For NIN, ID Requirement To Open Social Media Accounts

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, has called for stricter regulations on social media use in Nigeria.

In a statement shared on his X account on Monday, Olayinka proposed that anyone opening or operating a social media account should be required to provide a National Identification Number (NIN) along with a valid government-issued ID, such as an international passport, voter’s card, or driver’s license.

“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.