Bridging Research and Policy: The Case for Social Media Regulation in Nigeria
By Abdulrahman Sa’eed
I was contemplating a research topic for my second master’s and was scanning through the catalogue of the theses in the library of the faculty of communication, Bayero University, Kano. So many interesting topics caught my attention. No doubt, the flair and innovativeness in the quality and crazy idea (apologies to double professor Abdalla Uba) are being researched by students at the master’s and doctoral levels. Instructively, I saw a master’s and PhD thesis on hate speech in Nigeria. One by Dr Aondover Eric Msughter on newspaper reportage of hate speech and Prevalence of hate speech on Twitter by Ridwanullah Abdulhameed.
The similarity in scope made me scan through these two works. But I was glued to them. Pondering on some of the recommendations of these two theses, it then hit me, why do we waste so much effort on research and not use the valuable recommendations in them?
Today, Nigeria is facing a series of challenges. Challenges whose solution seems out of reach. But answers have been provided within the four walls of our universities. Yearly, supervisors and students suffer one another to come up with studies that are significant. Despite mental and financial rigour, the findings of these studies hardly influence policy and decision-making in the country.
Take for instance, when the social media regulation bill was introduced on the floor of the Nigerian Senate in 2019, all one needs to understand the paucity of research that goes into the bill was the opacity of some of the language and text of the bill.
No doubt, social media has revolutionized how Nigerians communicate, offering a platform for free expression, political discourse, and community building. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have empowered citizens to voice their opinions, mobilize for causes, and hold leaders accountable. However, as Nigeria’s social media landscape continues to grow, it has also become a breeding ground for misinformation, hate speech, and political division—issues that have serious real-world consequences.
Most of the theses on hate speech and social media I read alluded to these facts. In fact, Ridwanullah Abdulhameed fervently advocated for a policy framework for the regulation of social media in Nigeria in his thesis drawing reference from Western countries that have such regulations.
Social media platforms were once hailed as the great democratizers, giving a voice to the voiceless. But the reality in Nigeria, as elsewhere, is more complicated. Political actors and their supporters have turned these platforms into tools for manipulating public opinion, spreading false information, and inciting hatred.
During Nigeria’s 2015 elections, social media, especially Twitter, became a hotbed for divisive rhetoric. Hate speech targeting ethnic and religious groups reached alarming levels, often fuelled by political campaigns and their supporters. This dangerous online discourse didn’t just stay on the internet—it spilled over into real-world violence, contributing to the growing tension between communities.
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The lesson from this is clear: without adequate regulation, social media can become a weapon that deepens societal divides and fuels conflict. Some of the key takeaways from the thesis I find significant for policy formulation are:
While freedom of speech is a fundamental right, it must be balanced with the need to protect public safety and prevent harm. A social media regulation policy in Nigeria would not seek to stifle free expression but rather create a framework that ensures responsible usage of these powerful platforms. This much, I understand from reading Ridwan’s thesis.
One of the key areas a regulatory framework should address is hate speech. There is an urgent need for clear guidelines on what constitutes hate speech and mechanisms to flag, report, and remove harmful content. Social media companies should be held accountable for failing to moderate content that incites violence or hatred.
During the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, misinformation has spread rampantly on social media, often with dangerous consequences. A regulatory framework should include provisions for addressing misinformation, particularly in areas related to public health, elections, and national security.
Social media platforms rely on algorithms that often amplify the most provocative content, including hate speech and misinformation. Nigerian regulators should require platforms to be more transparent about how their algorithms work and ensure that these systems don’t inadvertently promote harmful content.
As President Buhari’s administration mandated Twitter to set up an office in Nigeria, other social media platforms should also follow suit. These platforms must collaborate with Nigerian authorities to create systems that allow for swift action when harmful content goes viral.
These regulatory frameworks must be designed with input from academia and civil society to ensure it doesn’t become a tool for political repression. The goal should be to strike a balance between preventing harm and allowing robust public discourse.
Countries like Germany and the United Kingdom have already developed comprehensive social media regulations aimed at reducing hate speech and misinformation. Nigeria can learn from these examples while tailoring its policy to fit local realities. Germany’s Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG), for instance, requires social media platforms to swiftly remove illegal content, including hate speech, or face significant fines. Nigeria should consider similar penalties to ensure compliance.
Nigeria’s regulatory framework should include provisions for digital literacy programs. Educating the public about responsible social media use and the dangers of hate speech can reduce the spread of harmful content organically, empowering citizens to be part of the solution.
The recent surge in political and ethnic tensions, exacerbated by social media, is a warning sign that Nigeria can no longer afford to delay regulation. As we look ahead to future elections and an increasingly digital society, the government, civil society, and social media companies must collaborate to create a safe, transparent, and accountable online space. Without such action, we risk allowing hate speech and misinformation to further polarize our nation and incite violence.
Social media is a powerful tool, but like all tools, it must be used responsibly. It’s time for Nigeria to adopt a social media regulation policy that ensures our online platforms promote unity, peace, and informed discourse, rather than division and conflict.
Sa’eed Abdulrahman is a lecturer and communication expert. He writes from Kano.
