Senator Ned Nwoko has renewed his call for the passage of a social media regulation bill, following the circulation of a recent viral video which he says highlights the urgent need to sanitize Nigeria’s online space.
In a statement on Friday, the lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as the “unregulated and increasingly reckless” nature of social media activities in the country.
He noted that the trending video, which he said contained serious and unfounded allegations, reflects a growing trend in which individuals make defamatory claims to attract attention and views, often without facing consequences.
According to Nwoko, this pattern has emboldened content creators to exploit the emotions of Nigerians, knowing they can evade accountability by issuing apologies after the damage has been done. “You can’t lie to make money and turn around to apologize after criminally defaming and hurting people,” he said.
The senator argued that the situation underscores the need for strict regulation of social media companies, insisting that platforms operating in Nigeria must be compelled to register and establish physical offices within the country.
He compared the responsibilities of digital platforms to those of local landlords who face penalties for the actions of tenants engaged in cybercrime.
“All our local media houses comply with defamation laws. Why make an exception for foreign companies who don’t pay taxes and avoid liabilities because of the absence of regulations?” Nwoko queried.
He maintained that without clear rules governing the operations of international social media platforms, citizens will remain vulnerable to falsehoods, malicious content, and criminal exploitation. “It’s Senator Ned today; who knows who is next?” he added.
Highlighting the benefits of his proposed legislation, Nwoko said mandatory registration of social media companies in Nigeria would create jobs, promote technology transfer, ensure tax compliance, and make legal redress more accessible and affordable for victims of online defamation.
He added that such companies would also be better positioned to assist security agencies in tracking bandits and other criminal elements who exploit online anonymity.
Nwoko further emphasized the importance of ensuring that data generated by Nigerians is stored within the country, rather than being controlled by foreign entities. He warned that unrestricted data access by external actors could pose a risk to national stability.
The senator appealed to Nigerians to support the social media regulation bill, insisting that effective oversight is critical to safeguarding individuals, institutions, and the nation at large.
