Senator Ned Nwoko, who represents Delta North in the National Assembly, has renewed his call for the passage of the social media regulation bill, following a viral apology video from a TikToker who had falsely accused him of plotting to kill his wife and Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels.
In a statement shared on his Instagram page on Friday, Nwoko said the incident highlights how Nigeria’s online environment has become “one of the most unregulated in the world,” with individuals freely spreading damaging allegations simply to gain views and online traction.
According to him, defamation has become a weapon in the country’s digital space, especially as many online users have learned to exploit public emotions—making severe accusations and later offering apologies once legal or social pressure mounts.
Nwoko argued that the persistence of such behaviour is partly due to the absence of strong regulations governing social media operations in Nigeria.
Nwoko: Social Media Platforms Must Register and Operate in Nigeria
The Senator urged Nigerians to support his proposed legislation, which seeks to mandate social media companies to register and maintain physical offices within the country.
He explained that enforcing such a requirement would not only ensure accountability but would also provide significant national benefits such as:
* Employment opportunities for Nigerians
* Technology transfer from global tech companies
* Better tax compliance and revenue generation
* More accessible litigation, eliminating the need to pursue cases in foreign countries
* Improved tracking of bandits and cybercriminals
* Local control of user data, rather than leaving it in the hands of foreign entities
In his words: “The recent trending video shows clearly that our social media space is now a free-for-all. People lay serious allegations just to attract millions of views with no regard for the harm caused. They know they can escape consequences by preying on public emotions and later returning with an apology.”
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Nwoko added that if Nigerian landlords can be held liable for crimes committed by tenants, then social media platforms should also be held responsible for enabling defamatory and harmful content.
He continued: “Our local media houses comply with defamation laws. Why should foreign tech companies—who don’t pay taxes and evade liability—be exempt? Without proper regulation, this problem will only worsen. It’s Senator Ned today; who knows who is next?”
A Call for Public Support
Nwoko appealed to Nigerians to back his proposed bill, emphasizing that it is not designed to silence citizens but to promote accountability, strengthen national security, and protect individuals from unchecked online abuse.
