Wike’s aide proposes mandatory NIN, ID for social media accounts

Lere Olayinka, SSA on Public Communications and Social Media to the Hon. Minister of Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (F.C.T)

-SPECIAL REPORT-

Proposal for Social Media Regulation in Nigeria

Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has proposed stricter regulations for social media use in Nigeria. His key suggestion:

·       Mandatory Identification: Users should be required to provide their National Identification Number (NIN) and a valid government-issued ID (e.g., passport, voter’s card, or driver’s license) to open or operate any social media account.

·       Goal: The proposal aims to curb misinformation and enhance accountability online.

·       Context: Nigeria already mandates NIN for banking and telecom services, so extending it to social media would align with existing identity verification systems.

The idea has sparked conversation around digital identity, privacy, and the balance between regulation and freedom of expression.

Good thinking? Let's put the spotlight on what obtains globally,  under the circumstances.

So, here's a look at how different countries are approaching identity verification on social media, and how Nigeria’s proposal might fit into the global picture:

Global Approaches to Social Media Identity Verification

Country/Region	Policy Highlights	Source
Nigeria	Proposed mandatory use of NIN and government-issued ID to open social media accounts
China	Enforces Real Name Registration for all internet users, including social media
European Union	Under the Digital Services Act, platforms must implement risk mitigation like age and identity checks for large platforms
United Kingdom	The Online Safety Act 2023 requires “highly effective” age and identity verification for high-risk platforms by July 2025
United States	Several states (e.g., Texas, Utah, Louisiana) mandate age and identity checks for access to certain online services
Australia	Draft Online Safety AV Code proposes stricter identity checks for adult and gambling platforms; social media may follow

Key Themes Across Countries

• Accountability vs. Privacy: Most regulations aim to reduce misinformation, protect minors, and curb online abuse, but they also raise concerns about surveillance and data protection.
• Sector-Specific Rules: Identity verification is often stricter for adult content, gambling, and financial services than for general social media.
• Technological Solutions: Countries are exploring tools like facial age estimation, government ID uploads, and digital wallets to verify users.

Nigeria’s proposal aligns with a growing global trend toward stronger digital identity frameworks. But it also invites debate: How do we balance safety with freedom of expression and privacy?

Nigeria’s proposal to require a National Identification Number (NIN) and a valid government-issued ID to open or operate social media accounts may aim to boost accountability, but it also raises several concerns. Here are some of the key potential drawbacks:

Potential Drawbacks of Mandatory NIN for Social Media

1. Privacy and Surveillance Risks

• Linking social media activity to government-issued IDs could enable increased surveillance of citizens’ online behavior.
• Users may fear that their political views or personal expressions could be monitored or penalized.

2. Freedom of Expression

• Anonymity often protects whistleblowers, activists, and marginalized voices. Removing it could discourage open dialogue and dissent.
• Critics argue this could lead to self-censorship, especially in politically sensitive environments.

3. Digital Exclusion

• Many Nigerians, especially in rural areas, still lack access to NIN registration or valid IDs.
• This requirement could exclude millions from participating in online discourse and accessing digital services.

4. Implementation Challenges

• Enforcing ID verification across global platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or TikTok would require cooperation from foreign tech companies.
• There’s a risk of creating loopholes or black markets for fake IDs and accounts.

5. Data Security Concerns

• Centralizing sensitive personal data (NIN, ID documents) with social media platforms or third-party verifiers increases the risk of data breaches.
• Nigeria has faced challenges with cybersecurity infrastructure, raising questions about safe handling of such data.

6. Economic Impact

• Influencers, small businesses, and digital entrepreneurs who rely on social media may face barriers to entry or disruptions if accounts are suspended due to ID issues.

This proposal reflects a tension between digital safety and civil liberties. While the intent to curb misinformation is valid, the execution must be carefully balanced to avoid unintended harm.

If Nigeria wants to promote accountability on social media without compromising privacy or excluding users, the SEB Team believe that there are several alternative approaches worth considering:

Alternative Approaches to Social Media Accountability

1. Tiered Verification System

• Allow users to choose between anonymous and verified accounts.
• Verified users could receive privileges (e.g. higher reach, monetization), while anonymous users face stricter moderation.
• This preserves anonymity for those who need it while incentivizing responsible behavior.

2. Platform-Based Moderation

• Encourage platforms like Facebook, X, and TikTok to strengthen content moderation using AI and human reviewers.
• Nigeria could collaborate with these companies to flag misinformation or harmful content without requiring NIN integration.

3. Digital Literacy Campaigns

• Invest in nationwide education on identifying fake news, phishing, and online scams.
• Empower users to critically evaluate content rather than relying solely on regulation.

4. Community Reporting Tools

• Platforms can enhance tools for users to report abuse, misinformation, or impersonation.
• Local moderators or trusted flaggers could be trained to handle reports in culturally relevant ways.

5. Independent Oversight Body

• Establish a non-partisan digital rights commission to oversee online content regulation.
• This body could mediate disputes, audit platform practices, and protect users from unjust censorship.

6. Optional Identity Linking

• Offer users the option to link their NIN or ID to their account for added security (e.g. for influencers or business pages).
• Keep it voluntary to avoid excluding those without access to formal identification.

These alternatives aim to balance security, freedom, and accessibility. They also align with global best practices in digital governance.

Tech platforms have not yet issued direct public responses to Nigeria’s proposal (if you like, Lere’s recommendation), requiring users to link their National Identification Number (NIN) and a valid ID to social media accounts. However, their actions and compliance trends offer some clues about how they’re navigating this regulatory landscape:

How Tech Platforms Are Responding (Indirectly)

1. Compliance with Nigeria’s Code of Practice

• Major platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Google, and Microsoft have already removed nearly 59 million pieces of harmful content and shut down 13.5 million accounts in Nigeria for violating local regulations.
• These actions suggest that platforms are cooperating with Nigerian authorities to curb misinformation and online abuse.

2. Local Registration and Legal Compliance

• Under Nigeria’s 2024 Code of Practice, large platforms are required to register locally, comply with tax laws, and adhere to Nigerian legal standards.
• This includes responding to government requests for data during investigations, which may align with broader identity verification goals.

3. No Formal Endorsement of NIN-Based Access

• As of now, no major platform has publicly endorsed or implemented a system that requires NIN or government-issued ID for account creation.
• Such a move would require significant infrastructure changes and raise global privacy concerns, especially for platforms operating across multiple jurisdictions.

4. Ongoing Collaboration

• Nigerian regulators have praised tech companies for their cooperation and emphasized the need for continued collaboration to enhance digital safety.
• This suggests that while platforms are engaging with Nigerian authorities, they may prefer content moderation and user reporting tools over mandatory identity linkage.

So while platforms are clearly working to meet Nigeria’s broader digital safety goals, they’re treading carefully around identity-based access, likely due to privacy, technical, and ethical concerns.

Several countries have explored or implemented identity verification measures for social media, each with its own motivations and consequences. Here's a global snapshot:

Examples of Identity Verification for Social Media

United Kingdom

• A petition in 2021 called for mandatory ID verification to open social media accounts, aiming to combat online abuse and trolling.
• The UK government considered it but ultimately rejected the idea, citing risks to privacy and freedom of expression.
• Instead, platforms were encouraged to offer optional verification and improve moderation tools.

Australia

• Proposed laws would require users to provide ID documents to access social media, as part of efforts to curb cyberbullying and misinformation.
• Critics warned this could lead to mass surveillance and data misuse, especially if platforms store sensitive documents.

Estonia

• Estonia’s eID system allows citizens to verify their identity online for over 600 services, including social media.
• While not mandatory for social media use, it’s widely adopted due to high digital literacy and trust in government systems.

Morocco

• The government expanded its Trusted Third Party Identity Verification platform, integrating it with banks, healthcare, and other services.
• Though not directly tied to social media, this infrastructure could support future digital accountability initiatives.

European Union

• The EU has debated ID requirements for social media but remains cautious.
• Experts argue that mandatory ID could limit free speech and reduce diversity of ideas, making it unlikely to be adopted across the bloc.

These examples show a clear tension: governments want to reduce harm online, but mandatory ID policies often clash with democratic values and technical feasibility. Lere Olayinka or Nigeria’s proposal fits into this global trend, but its success will depend on how it balances security, access, and civil liberties.

We at SEB believe that Nigeria can draw valuable lessons from other countries that have explored identity verification for social media. So once again, as a point of emphasis here’s how it might refine its approach by learning from global models:

Lessons Nigeria Can Learn from Global Examples

1. Make Verification Optional, Not Mandatory

• UK & EU: These regions rejected mandatory ID verification due to privacy concerns but encouraged platforms to offer optional verification for users who want added credibility.
• Nigeria’s Opportunity: Introduce a voluntary NIN-linked badge for verified users (e.g. influencers, businesses), while keeping access open for others.

2. Build Trust Through Transparency

• Estonia: Their success with eID stems from high public trust and clear data protection laws.
• Nigeria’s Opportunity: Ensure transparency in how NIN-linked data is stored, used, and protected. Publish clear privacy policies and allow users to opt out of data sharing.

3. Strengthen Platform Partnerships

• Australia: Faced pushback from platforms over proposed ID laws due to technical and ethical concerns.
• Nigeria’s Opportunity: Collaborate with tech companies to co-design solutions, like enhanced moderation, local content reviewers, and better reporting tools, rather than imposing unilateral mandates.

4. Focus on Digital Literacy

• EU & UK: Invested heavily in public education campaigns to combat misinformation and online abuse.
• Nigeria’s Opportunity: Launch nationwide programs to teach users how to spot fake news, protect their data, and engage responsibly online.

5. Create a Balanced Oversight Body

• Global Best Practice: Independent digital rights commissions help mediate between government, platforms, and citizens.
• Nigeria’s Opportunity: Establish a non-partisan oversight board to review complaints, audit platform practices, and protect civil liberties.

By adapting these strategies, Nigeria can promote accountability without alienating users or compromising democratic values. The key is balance, between safety and freedom, enforcement and inclusion.