By Chinedu Echianu
Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has renewed calls for stricter regulation of social media in Nigeria, warning that unchecked fake news and misinformation pose serious risks to national unity and security.
He made the remarks in Abuja Thursday during his address at the official launch of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) domiciled at the headquarters of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
Reflecting on his tFormer Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has renewed calls for stricter regulation of social media in Nigeria, warning that unchecked fake news and misinformation pose serious risks to national unity and security.
He made the remarks in Abuja Thursday during his address at the official launch of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) domiciled at the headquarters of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
Reflecting on his time in office from 2017 until his exit, Mohammed said combating fake news, disinformation, and misinformation had remained a central focus of his work—and continues to be so.
“Even today, fake news and disinformation are probably the greatest threat to national security and national unity,” he said, stressing that the concern is not about protecting government interests but safeguarding society as a whole.
Mohammed acknowledged that his stance on regulating social media has often been misunderstood, with critics equating regulation to censorship. However, he rejected that notion.
“Regulation is not censorship,” he said. “We now live in a digital era where news travels so fast, and unfortunately, information is often shared without verifying its accuracy.”
He noted that during his tenure, efforts were made to address the issue through collaboration with media organizations and policy discussions at the national level.
Citing international developments, Mohammed pointed to actions by the European Commission against Meta, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, making reference to findings that could hold platforms financially liable for failing to regulate harmful or inappropriate content, especially for younger users.
According to him, such global trends reinforce the need for Nigeria to adopt stronger regulatory frameworks.
The former minister also used the opportunity to defend the controversial suspension of Twitter in Nigeria during his tenure, describing it as a necessary step taken in the interest of national security.
He argued that at the time, the platform had become a major channel for spreading unverified and potentially harmful narratives, particularly during periods of national tension.
“When there is a conflict between private interests and national security, national security will always take precedence,” Mohammed said, while acknowledging the economic impact the suspension had on young Nigerians who relied on the platform for business and influence.
Highlighting past national incidents, Mohammed said misinformation shared across platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter often distorted public understanding of events, making it difficult to establish verified facts.
“The power of fake news is such that once it starts, it cannot be overtaken,” he warned.
He added that beyond government, ordinary citizens have also suffered reputational damage and personal harm as a result of false information circulating online.
The newly launched International Media and Information Literacy Institute, described as the first of its kind globally, aims to address challenges such as fake news, misinformation and other vices associated with the media and information communication technology.
Stakeholders at the event said the Institute hopes to achieve this aim through education, research, and collaboration. It is also expected to equip Nigerians with the skills to critically assess information and resist manipulation.
Mohammed expressed optimism that the institute will play a key role in curbing the spread of fake news and promoting responsible media consumption.
“Fighting fake news is not just about protecting government,” he said. “It is about ensuring a healthier information ecosystem for everyone.”
The theme of the launch, “Empowering Knowledge Societies Through Media and Information Literacy in the Digital Age” is an indication of a renewed commitment by stakeholders in the country’s information space to confront the growing challenge of misinformation in the digital age.
